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Last January, I wrote an especially effusive review of the previous night’s Golden Globe awards, commending the usually much-derided HFPA for looking beyond star power and box-office grosses. Instead, they assembled an international and rather indie-minded winners slate that included such titles as “Happy-Go-Lucky,” “The Wrestler,” “In Bruges,” “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” and eventual Oscar-sweeper “Slumdog Millionaire.”
What a difference a year makes.
Whether stung by matters of ratings and economics, or simply wowed by a very different school of cinema this year, the Foreign Press voters were back to the big-name pandering for which they are famous.
Everyone present, meanwhile, seemed quite aware of the fact, some — including host Ricky Gervais and, in the night’s best speech, Robert Downey, Jr. — openly teasing them for it. “One thing you can’t buy is a Golden Globe,” the reliably droll Gervais observed, beer in hand. “Officially.”
So, what did I learn from last night’s proceedings?
BIGGER IS BETTER: “Avatar.” “The Hangover.” “The Blind Side.” “Sherlock Holmes.” “Julie & Julia.” With the exception of double winner “Crazy Heart” and smooth studio pic “Up in the Air,” you could be forgiven for thinking that a $100 million gross was a minimum requirement for top-category consideration last night. I wrote in a Long Shot column last week that this could be the year the mainstream Hollywood reclaims awards season, after independent and European dominance in recent years. Whether or not such an agenda was at work, it’s hard to deny that the Globes helped push this narrative.
IT’S A TWO-FILM RACE: Between “The Hangover” and “Avatar.” Kidding. But big-name properties “Up in the Air” and “Inglourious Basterds” needed a strong showing here to elbow into the “Avatar”-“The Hurt Locker” contest, and they didn’t get one. That may sound hypocritical, given that Kathryn Bigelow’s film was blanked entirely by the HFPA, but the tough, star-free indie was so far outside the Globes’ comfort zone that this didn’t move the needle for it one way or the other. The DGA and PGA awards are bigger players in this David-and-Goliath story — and if, as I suspect will happen, they split, we won’t be any wiser until Oscar night itself.
SANDRA BULLOCK DOESN’T HAVE MICKEY ROURKE’S VOTE: Seriously, did you see that grimace on the Stetson-hatted rebel’s face when he pulled Bullock’s name from the Best Actress envelope? Not since Julia Roberts presented the 2001 Best Actor Oscar has a presenter hidden their personal thoughts quite so badly. Rourke’s reservations notwithstanding, Bullock’s back-to-back wins this weekend probably cemented her as the only obstacle to Meryl Streep’s third Oscar — and as long as she glides through the publicity circuit with such humility and good humor, she’s a formidable obstacle at that.
THE OSCAR GOES TO JEFF BRIDGES: This I knew months ago, but not all awards pundits were quite so sure. Now, after beating chief rival George Clooney twice in one weekend — and serving up a pair of unpolished acceptance speeches that nonetheless played perfectly to his shuffling charms — the momentum has demonstratively swung The Dude’s way. There’s a chance SAG, who have never rewarded either actor, may disagree. But with the long-overdue Bridges boasting the more heavyweight performance, and Clooney’s first Oscar still fresh in the memory, I see only one outcome here. (Ditto Christoph Waltz and Mo’Nique, both of whom stamped already-sealed deals with eloquent acceptance speeches.)
I CAN’T PREDICT FOR SHIT: I mean, really. But we all already knew that, didn’t we?
And finally…
SALLY HAWKINS ROCKS: Okay, so it doesn’t say much for my enjoyment of last night’s show that the brief appearance of last year’s richly-deserving Globe champ (to present a rather less deserving but still irresistible Robert Downey, Jr. with his gong) constituted one of the evening’s highlights for me. But after her nerve-riddled acceptance speech last year, it warmed my heart to see the gangly Brit looser, cheerier and looking a million dollars in a jagged above-the-knee frock — seemingly beamed in from a different planet to the legions of plucked, primped, Grecian-gowned goddesses before her.
I make no claims for objectivity here — Hawkins didn’t even get to say anything, beyond a list of names, to further endear herself to me. (Though a recent viewing of her new film, “Happy Ever Afters,” did just that.) Perhaps her appearance just helped cast my mind back to a very different Globes night.
52 responses so far
1 1-18-2010 at 10:28 am
Ash said...
I actually read an article wear Rourke said he was glad Sandra won.
2 1-18-2010 at 10:32 am
Guy Lodge said...
Haha. Didn’t look that way.
3 1-18-2010 at 10:36 am
Michael said...
last year was way different than this year. I didn’t notice Mickey Rourke’s expression but that is hilarious nonetheless. I liked all of the movies that won awards (except Blind Side of course) so I was a happy camper, but I can understand the concern of other people. Seriously though, it is just the Globes and they were in a particular starfucking mood last night for sure, but that is how it goes. I was entertained, I look forward to seeing what kind of drama goes down on oscar night.
4 1-18-2010 at 10:40 am
Andrew said...
Well, if Sally Hawkins was a highlight for you, I can’t imagine how boring your reaction to the whole show was. She’s nice, but her dress and style were… dreadful. Anyway, it’s all subjective!
5 1-18-2010 at 10:42 am
red_wine said...
The night was an absolute debacle in more ways than one. Hawkins really was very endearing but the entire show had a heavy whiff of pointless about it.
Did you notice nobody seemed quite interested when Haneke was making his speech. And am I mistaken or they started the music barely 20 seconds into his speech.
And I got the sense that Avatar winning produced a generally disagreeable effect throughout the room.
At this point I really don’t care what happens at the Oscars. I just want Bigelow to have her Oscar. Bigelow loosing is the one thing that would possibly upset me. Avatar winning best picture would infuriate me but not upset me.
6 1-18-2010 at 10:46 am
Brando said...
The battle is now between Meryl and Bullock. I hope that the Academy think wisely, because Sandra B. did Not give the best performance of the year. She did the most lucrative performance of the year by a woman… and Meryl the best.
But at this point Carey could also win and even Gaby. This categorie it’s getting even more confuse than anyother
7 1-18-2010 at 10:52 am
Craig said...
I think Inglourious Basterds could still get a push from SAG and be in play for Oscar night (perhaps for the possibility and THL and Avatar do some vote splitting), but I think Up in the Air is done.
8 1-18-2010 at 10:57 am
Pablo (Col) said...
I also think Sally is so adorable. I just love her and that Oscar snub has to be corrected in the future.
So its Avatar against to Hurt Locker… Damn….
9 1-18-2010 at 10:59 am
AmericanRequiem said...
up in the air isnt looking to great, avatar and the hurt locker are certainly the front runners, and in glourious basterds is waiting to pounce
10 1-18-2010 at 11:01 am
Joe said...
For the record, I also noticed that Mickey Rourke was not thrilled with Bullock’s win. Although he rarely looks thrilled about anything, so I didn’t think much of it.
I guess since I liked “The Blind Side”, I will be looked at as a second-class citizen. But I was happy for Sandra Bullock’s win. HOWEVER, did anyone else think she wasn’t emotional enough? Obviously this is a very superficial reason, but if the Globes are truly a dress rehearsal for Oscar acceptance speeches, Sandra’s toned down and reserved victory didn’t seem as gratifying as it could’ve been. There wasn’t enough crying and breaking down! (Am I kidding or serious? You decide.)
11 1-18-2010 at 11:02 am
James D. said...
Hawkins was my highlight as well.
I guess I don’t have enough Oscar history. Was the Julia Roberts reaction to the awards ceremony that took place in 2001, or the one honoring 2001? I need to see this.
12 1-18-2010 at 11:06 am
Guy Lodge said...
Honoring 2001 — she opened the envelope and gushed “Oh, I love my life,” before handing it to Denzel Washington.
13 1-18-2010 at 11:07 am
head_wizard said...
It does look like Avatar vs Hurt Locker and I still can’t see any film but The Hurt Locker winning it still has more momentum and more critic appreciation and I can’t see many of the acting branch voting for it. The DGA, SAG and BAFTAS I think will show the Hurt Locker firmly as the frontrunner.
14 1-18-2010 at 11:08 am
adam said...
James Cameron getting the audience to applaud themselves was ridiculous.
Oh, I loved Nora Ephron ripping up her acceptance speech and then Tina Fey laughing at it.
15 1-18-2010 at 11:11 am
todkommt said...
Please Mr. Cameron return the golden globe to its real winner Mrs. Bigelow. Thank you.
16 1-18-2010 at 11:13 am
Amanda said...
We also learned that everyone involved in the movie Julie/Julia apparently hates Amy Adams. Not only did Meryl not thank her (nor did she in her critics choice speech) but Adams wasnt even sitting at the J/J table..she was on the other side of the room. Poor Amy, it wasnt her fault Nora fucked up her side of the movie.
17 1-18-2010 at 11:17 am
adam said...
When did Amy Adams get pregnant?
I hate to sound like a cliché but she did have that pregnancy glow.
18 1-18-2010 at 11:18 am
MattyD said...
That was the worst evening ever for top awards. I was thoroughly disappointed. I am hoping that the Academy will try its hardest to award actual deserving winners.
19 1-18-2010 at 11:22 am
David L said...
Is everyone forgetting that the Golden Globes don’t really mean shit? Crash wasn’t even nominated for best picture. More often than not the winners do not match up. I think Up in the Air is in no way dead. I think it has a great shot at screenplay and Best Pic still actually. I do not think Avatar will win director or pic, but just technicals. I think we are still seeing a very wide open race for best pic between hurt locker, up in the air, and avatar.
20 1-18-2010 at 11:24 am
Zan said...
Yeah, that was weird, Amanda. She made it a priority to thank Stanley Tucci, but not Adams. I don’t understand how anyone could be anything less than adoring of Amy Adams.
21 1-18-2010 at 11:27 am
Guy Lodge said...
Amanda and Zan: It’s not as if Streep and Adams actually worked together on “Julie & Julia.”
22 1-18-2010 at 11:34 am
tony rock said...
Question…was that Tom Hanks joke knocking Tucci or Baldwin? Could have sworn he said Baldwin-to-Tucci was a step-up for Streep but Tucci’s expression says otherwise.
23 1-18-2010 at 11:39 am
Fabio said...
Guy, the Julia Roberts moment you remember is from the Best Actor Oscar in 2003. However, she had an opposite reaction at the Globes in 2001, when she was surprised and clearly disappointed to present the Best Director Award for Ang Lee and not Steven Soderbergh, who directed her in Erin Brockovich.
24 1-18-2010 at 11:58 am
Nigel Bridgeman said...
No, Fabio, it was in the year 2002 honouring 2001, as Guy said. She had made a bit of a song and dance leading up to the Oscars about how it was wrong that Washington only had one Oscar, and she wrote herself into a lot of enemies lists that night when she squealed about loving her life.
My least favourite ad lib from a presenter was in 1995 (for the year 1994) when Spielberg presented the Oscar for Best Director and said, “Alex, your dad just won an Academy Award!” before advising the audience that it was Zemeckis that won. I’ve always wondered what the other nominees would have thought, whether they quickly took an inventory of their kids to see if one was called Alex… and I’ve always wondered how Kieslowski would have felt losing an award for directing to Robert Zemeckis.
25 1-18-2010 at 12:12 pm
Guy Lodge said...
Tony Rock: The joke was knocking Baldwin. I imagine Tucci was just a little embarrassed by the whole thing.
26 1-18-2010 at 12:17 pm
cineJAB said...
calling it now: I bet the SAG throws everything for a loop.
Best Actor: Colin Firth.
Best Actress: Gabby Sidibe.
Best Supporting Actor: Stanley Tucci.
Best Supporting Actress: Vera Farmiga.
Best Performance by a Cast: Precious.
okay, no way in hell all/any of that happens, but HOW CRAZY WOULD THAT MAKE EVERYTHING?
27 1-18-2010 at 12:25 pm
Guy Lodge said...
Don’t be silly, cineJAB. It’s obvious that SAG will throw up write-in victories for Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Stephen Lang, Sigourney Weaver and the “Avatar” ensemble.
28 1-18-2010 at 12:37 pm
Aleksis said...
“she wrote herself into a lot of enemies lists that night when she squealed about loving her life.”
Why does everyone hate her so much? It was a perfectly charming reaction, I thought. I’m sure Russell Crowe and Tom Wilkinson (the other two were absent) weren’t bawling into their pillows that night over what the big meanie Julia did when she announced the winner. Gawd.
Did she write *herself* into the enemies lists, or was it just the Aronofsky/Burstyn fanboys (still whining from the previous year) who took exception?
29 1-18-2010 at 12:52 pm
Chris138 said...
I honestly don’t think Mickey Rourke cared that much about Sandra Bullock winning Best Actress.
30 1-18-2010 at 1:16 pm
aspect ratio said...
Oh yeah, Sally Hawkins looked amazing. Most beautiful woman of the night, if you ask me.
31 1-18-2010 at 1:22 pm
Me. said...
I enjoyed the Golden Globe ceremony.
I loved the Martin Scorsese tribute.
I loved Christoph Waltz’ and Mo’Nique’s acceptante speeches (my mom cried in both and she hated “Precious”, that’s saying something).
I really disliked “Up in the Air” winning best screenplay. That award belonged to the Basterds.
I was fine with James Cameron winning but I really wanted Kathryn Bigelow to win, she was the best of the bunch. I can’t stop thinking that “Avatar” may take both best picture AND best directing at the Oscars too.
I LOVED The White Ribbon victory. That was such a solid category though. Baaria was amazing and Broken Embraces was just great (and I haven’t seen the other two).
I loved Up winning best score. I had forgotten how touching that film was until I rewatched some parts of the film at the Globes yesterday.
I went WHAT THE FUCK with Robert Downey Jr. and The Hangover winning. Oh well, I guess I’ll have to see the latter. I can’t stop thinking that HFPA picked random winners for these two just so that Nine could be bitch-slapped for being such a dissapointment.
And I guess I’m gonna have to see The Blind Side. MEH. Nobody, I mean NOBODY has said she was amazing. (Film critics, regular people, internet posters etc. included) but all of a sudden, she’s winning all these awards because…?
I CAN’T WAIT TO SEE CRAZY HEART. That one, on the other hand, looks great.
32 1-18-2010 at 1:34 pm
John said...
Loved most of the winners last night. One perspective would be to say that awards are trying to get the people back by rewarding popular films. Another perspective would be that audiences finally went to movies this year that were good. The movies breaking through this awards season are those that spoke to and resonated with people (AVATAR, BASTERDS, DISTRICT 9, STAR TREK, THE HANGOVER, THE BLIND SIDE, etc.) and not the movies that people were “told’ they were supposed to like (INVICTUS, NINE, THE LAST STATION, etc). As a result, we’ll have the best Oscar show in a long time… and also people will tune in to see it!
Hint to THE HURT LOCKER… actually push your movie now that it’s on DVD! The people will like it if you just make a proper effort to get it to them!
33 1-18-2010 at 2:00 pm
Ali said...
While i agree Up in the Air’s chances are looking slim now… Something that caught my attention was the screenplay award going to Reitman rather than Tarintino… A major mistake in my opinion Quentin writes the best screenplays. Just thought it might twist something
34 1-18-2010 at 2:09 pm
JR said...
For the record, Streep did not give the best actress performance this year. That honor surely belongs to Tilda Swinton for Julia. Jaw-dropping…
And, after reading the Carpetbagger, my loathing of James Cameron just deepened. http://carpetbagger.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/18/the-250-million-underdog-celebrates/
This d-bag doesn’t deserve to be in the same room as Martin Scorsese, who’s tribute was my favorite part of the evening. Ridiculously well-edited… Hope it pops up on YouTube!!!
35 1-18-2010 at 2:20 pm
Craig said...
Yeah, why the hell did Up in the Air beat Basterds for screenplay last night? I loved Up in the Air, but come on!
36 1-18-2010 at 2:23 pm
M said...
Wasn’t really happy with Sandra winning, if people are going to start giving awards because they believe its the actors time, instead of the performance, then they better start scrapping the awards show.
Liked Monique and Waltz speech. The host guy wasn’t too bad either. Had some jokes.
Avatar winning was eh….
37 1-18-2010 at 2:25 pm
M said...
Oh yeah GUY, you are quite poor at the predictions thing, lol. However don’t let that stop you. You will eventually get a few right :)
38 1-18-2010 at 2:37 pm
SHAAAARK said...
I like that you predicted how things should logically turn out. Unfortunately, Kris and the rest of the Oscar bloggers are partly responsible for this bullshit swing back to populism. I don’t know if I can ever forgive him for pulling this shit throughout the year. Kris has decent taste in film, but he seems to be in entirely the wrong ideological camp regarding film and what is worthy of awards.
39 1-18-2010 at 2:38 pm
Dylan said...
You shouldn’t be upset, Guy. Your predictions were logical. The actual winners weren’t.
40 1-18-2010 at 3:13 pm
Guy Lodge said...
Dylan: Believe me, I never get upset about predictions.
41 1-18-2010 at 3:38 pm
Not an actors movie said...
Did you notice when Julia Roberts named the best picture nominees she smiled for two films (not Avatar). The Hurt Locker got a big smile as she named it and then for Up in the Air, probably because of her buddy Clooney. But no smile for Avatar, nor when she announced it had won! The actors revolt begins.
Did anyone else notice all the actors in the room scowling at when Avatar won? Even Leonardo diCaprio didn’t seem happy for his old boss. Maybe he knows something we don’t!
42 1-18-2010 at 3:44 pm
Bryan said...
Basterds, Up in the Air, the real best original screenplay of the year is A Serious Man.
Come on, people.
43 1-18-2010 at 3:58 pm
mjb said...
Recently saw Julie and Julia again…I have to defend Amy Adams and her part of the film…I think it was just as charming as Meryl’s part…Surprised the editing hasn’t been cited…the two stories were perfectly woven together. Alexandre Desplat’s music was wonderful as well.
44 1-18-2010 at 4:47 pm
Andrew said...
JR, Swinton was great, and far better than her Oscar winning Michael Clayton role, but she will go unnominated, as will other great performance of the year, Abbie Cornish in Bright Star
45 1-18-2010 at 8:09 pm
Ali said...
Did anyone else really not like A Serious Man? I thought it was boring and pointless
46 1-18-2010 at 8:14 pm
Colin Low said...
Duh, why would the actors like Avatar? It’s the big movie this year that shits in their faces and tells them that their work is irrelevant.
47 1-18-2010 at 8:43 pm
Glenn said...
Are all these people complaining about Sandra winning an Oscar because she “didn’t give the best performance of the year” REALLY saying that Meryl Streep DID give the best performance of the year? That’s funny. And Meryl didn’t have anything to do with Amy Adams in “Julie & Julia”? And I’m of the belief that Nora Ephron didn’t screw up much of anything in “J&J”. Adams’ half seemed to perfectly encapsulate the world of a blogger from the thrills of fan mail to the self-loathing over writers block and lack of motivation. I am continuously surprised that most blogger/online types didn’t get that since it was perhaps the first major film to actually address that.
“Yeah, why the hell did Up in the Air beat Basterds for screenplay last night? I loved Up in the Air, but come on!”
Because voters were obviously giving Waltz the supporting actor award and wanted to give “Up in the Air” something since they weren’t voting for it in the top categories.
The Tucci/Baldwin joke was in Tucci’s favour, but I imagine his reaction was related to finding it a tad harsh. Not so me, Tucci >>>> Baldwin in every single way from acting to sexiness to general awesomeness.
48 1-18-2010 at 10:31 pm
Chad Hartigan said...
Surprised no conspiracy theorist has noted that Blind Side, Sherlock Holmes and The Hangover are all WB releases and all won their big categories.
49 1-18-2010 at 11:23 pm
Jane said...
The actors in the room looked REALLY pissed off when James Cameron told them to pat themselves on the back. In fact, did anyone look happy that Avatar won?
50 1-19-2010 at 2:17 am
voland said...
Camerons 2nd speech was just awful.
51 1-19-2010 at 8:04 am
Speaking English said...
Haha, “Inglourious Basterds” deserved screenplay over “Up in the Air?” You’ve got to be kidding. The latter’s script is one of the sharpest and most incisive in YEARS, but of course the rabid fans jump at Tarantino’s bloated indulgency.
But yeah, the real best script, as we all know, is “A Serious Man.”
52 1-20-2010 at 8:23 am
Anna said...
I think the reason why even people who like Avatar are kind of negative on its win (like Roger Ebert) is cause the other nominees are actually better movies (unlike last year’s nominations fail) and the whole night was just one big commercial money orgy. In addition to the fact that these people totally ignored The Dark Knight last year even though the consensus on that was far stronger than Avatar, and it’s a more more well-rounded blockbuster especially in the writing and acting areas.