The Golden Globes are among the forefront of the Hollywood community's awards season and precursor to the most prestigious presentation - the Academy Awards. While the nominees are honored by the Hollywood Foreign Press a month before the Oscars, the Golden Globes are generally viewed as little more than an illegitimate sibling of the Oscars. However, the winners at the Globes tend to predict trends in the forthcoming ceremonies.
The Globes were held last Sunday. And the winners are ...
Best Picture (Drama)
* "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
* "Frost/Nixon"
* "The Reader"
* "Revolutionary Road"
* "Slumdog Millionaire"
While I have been biased toward "Revolutionary Road" for some time now, it is hard to deny the power "Slumdog" has had over critics. It is the second British-made film in a row (after "Atonement") to win Best Picture (Drama) at the Globes.
Best Picture (Comedy or Musical)
* "Burn After Reading"
* "Happy-Go-Lucky"
* "In Bruges"
* "Mamma Mia!"
* "Vicky Cristina Barcelona"
Iconic director Woody Allen's "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" snatches the prize. Unfortunately for the Coen Brothers, their follow-up to "No Country For Old Men" didn't win this time. However, do not expect to see any of these films on the Academy's list in a few weeks.
Best Actor (Drama)
* Leonardo DiCaprio - "Revolutionary Road"
* Frank Langella - "Frost/Nixon"
* Sean Penn - "Milk"
* Brad Pitt - "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
* Mickey Rourke - "The Wrestler"
While DiCaprio or Penn were expected to pick up the award here, Rourke's performance in "The Wrestler" is undeniable. Expect a repeat at the Oscars.
Best Actor (Comedy or Musical)
* Javier Bardem - "Vicky Cristina Barcelona"
* Colin Farrell - "In Bruges"
* James Franco - "Pineapple Express"
* Brendan Gleeson - "In Bruges"
* Dustin Hoffman - "Last Chance Harvey"
In a weak category, Colin Farrell gets the Globe. Expect him to fade back into oblivion.
Best Actress (Drama)
* Anne Hathaway - "Rachel Getting Married"
* Angelina Jolie - "Changeling"
* Meryl Streep - "Doubt"
* Kristin Scott Thomas - "I've Loved You So Long (Il y a longtemps que je t'aime)"
* Kate Winslet - "Revolutionary Road"
Winslet is undeniably the greatest actress of our generation (on the heels of fellow nominee, Meryl Streep), and I have long expected her to win Best Actress. With her lack of trophies at both the Globes and the Oscars, I knew a role such as the one in "Revolutionary Road" would finally get her the prize.
Best Actress (Comedy or Musical)
* Rebecca Hall - "Vicky Cristina Barcelona"
* Sally Hawkins - "Happy-Go-Lucky"
* Frances McDormand - "Burn After Reading"
* Meryl Streep - "Mamma Mia!"
* Emma Thompson - "Last Chance Harvey"
Hawkins deservedly nabs the award here for her effervescent role in "Happy-Go-Lucky." Her emotional outpouring during her acceptance speech was understandable, considering she was nominated against three Oscar winners.
Best Supporting Actor
* Tom Cruise - "Tropic Thunder"
* Robert Downey Jr. - "Tropic Thunder"
* Ralph Fiennes - "The Duchess"
* Philip Seymour Hoffman - "Doubt"
* Heath Ledger - "The Dark Knight"
Ledger was on his way to become one of the greatest actors of our generation. Most critics praised his performance in "The Dark Knight" as the Joker, but I must unfortunately be the bad guy and call his win the sympathy vote. Think about it - who was the last actor from a superhero film that you saw take home an award? That's right - keep thinking. Regardless, his posthumous win is commendable.
Best Supporting Actress
* Amy Adams - "Doubt"
* Penelope Cruz - "Vicky Cristina Barcelona"
* Viola Davis - "Doubt"
* Marisa Tomei - "The Wrestler"
* Kate Winslet - "The Reader"
Not only does Winslet finally win an award, she wins two! She achieves this history-making feat by evading double nominations from "Doubt," including Davis.
Best Director
* Danny Boyle - "Slumdog Millionaire"
* Stephen Daldry - "The Reader"
* David Fincher - "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
* Ron Howard - "Frost/Nixon"
* Sam Mendes - "Revolutionary Road"
Usually, the director of the year's Best Picture picks up this award. With the winner being Danny Boyle, all is well in the world.
So there you have it-what a night at the Globes!
