PARIS—"Amour" and "Argo" are taking home prestigious prizes—and Kevin Costner may be taking home a horse—after a French film award ceremony.

The Cesar awards on Friday night reflected excitement and emotion ahead of the Oscars on Sunday. But they had a decidedly French touch, replete with references to high taxes.

The story of a woman's Alzheimer's and her husband's devotion, Michael Haneke's "Amour" won best film, best director—and best actress and actor prizes for its octogenarian stars, Emmanuelle Riva and Jean-Louis Trintingant.

"Argo," about Americans taken hostage in Iran, won the best foreign film award.

Costner said "merci" over and over again for a lifetime achievement award. He was even offered a horse, amid jokes about a horse meat scandal engulfing Europe.