Well, if you didn’t get the message after last night’s DGA result, SAG’s Best Ensemble award just underlined it for you — the Best Picture race is over. In the 16 years that the three Guilds have co-existed, only one film has taken the big prize from the DGA, PGA and SAG and not won the Best Picture Oscar — and “Apollo 13” was handicapped by its lack of a Best Director Oscar bid. No such obstacle in this case: “The King’s Speech” has it in the bag.
So, it seems, do a couple of other folks. It was a highly predictable night, as the de facto frontrunner prevailed in each of the four individual acting categories.
Colin Firth, of course, continued his march to the Oscar podium with another impeccably wry, self-deprecating speech — “I’d like to thank security for letting me into the building,” he quipped, earning the night’s biggest laugh. With his victory, “The King’s Speech” becomes the first film to take Best Ensemble and a lead acting gong since “Chicago” eight years ago; this time, however, it won’t lose the latter on February 27.
Meanwhile, Natalie Portman continued her smooth run in the Best Actress race. Some pundits, Kris included, have speculated that Annette Bening could yet be a spoiler on Oscar night, but I can’t see it myself: if a wave of sentimental affection for the older star is brewing, the peer-voted SAG Awards would have been the clear place for it to emerge. Portman continues to be the personification of charm at the podium, while her category is looking like the only viable place for Oscar voters to acknowledge the “Black Swan” phenomenon.
If a sweep mentality takes hold for “The King’s Speech,” I suppose one of the supporting categories could be vulnerable to an upset, but after tonight’s well-deserved twin wins for “The Fighter” co-stars Melissa Leo and Christian Bale — both repeating their Golden Globe and Critics’ Choice victories — there’s little reason to bet against them at the Oscars.
Both actors socked over their acceptance speeches, with Bale (shorn of the Jesus-like mane he sported at the Globes) continuing his genially goofy stage manner and sharing a sweet moment at the podium with the real-life Dicky Ekland. Leo provided the most emotional speech of the night, culminating in a rallying cry for unions.
No alarms and no surprises, then — but why should there be? It was clear from the reaction in the room (especially to the final category) that the winners are universally popular choices, spread across three of the most beloved films in the Best Picture race. “The Social Network” table, on the other hand, was a solemn-looking one: they know when they’re beaten.
No televised precursors until the BAFTAs, then, and I think we all know more or less how that’s going to go. Good night, all.
You can find the full list of film winners at The Circuit. And the TV awards, for those of you who are interested:
Best Actress in a TV Movie or Miniseries: Claire Danes, “Temple Grandin”
Best Actor in a TV Movie or Miniseries: Al Pacino, “You Don’t Know Jack”
Best Ensemble in a Comedy Series: “Modern Family”
Best Actress in a Comedy Series: Betty White, “Hot in Cleveland”
Best Actor in a Comedy Series: Alec Baldwin, “30 Rock”
Best Ensemble in a Drama Series: “Boardwalk Empire”
Best Actress in a Drama Series: Julianna Margulies, “City Island”
Best Actor in a Drama Series: Steve Buscemi, “Boardwalk Empire”
Best Stunt Ensemble: “True Blood”
[Photo: Reuters]
Comments
233 responses to “‘The King’s Speech’ takes top honors at SAG Awards”
Two hours of red carpet? isn’t that a tad bit excessive?
Online stream, please?
http://www.tnt.tv/specials/sagawards/2011/video/
Not sure if it works outside America though.
@ Africa: A huge publicity event where celebrities answer vapid, self-serving questions in wardrobe more expensive than most people’s annual income right before being awarded trophies for work that they get paid millions of dollars for doing anyway… excessive?!? Why, you’re just sounding ridiculous!
If Kings speech wins, and proceeds to sweep the oscars, the academy will be set back a couple decades.
English: There’s (awful) red carpet coverage here:
http://www.tnt.tv/specials/sagawards/2011/video/
Speaking English, hope this helps:
Red Carpet streaming:
http://www.tnt.tv/specials/sagawards/2011/video/
SAG Awards streaming:
http://www.boxlive.tv/channels/tikdlls3
I like The King’s Speech, but for me if it were to win I wouldn’t be disappointed because I like The Social Network more, I would be disappointed because I would be bored by that choice in a year of innovative and interesting films whether entirely successful or not.
max
why? because TKS is not deserving? I don’t remember anyone calling TKS a bad movie last month, when TSN will destined for a sweep. When our favorites are lagging behind, we curse the Oscars.
was destined*
Speaking English: I was going to suggest the same link as Guy did:
http://www.tnt.tv/specials/sagawards/2011/video/
Alas, it looks like they are cutting off once the show starts. The red carpet is “streaming online,” but the awards show itself is “live on TNT and TBS.” If you find the actual show online, please post a message to that effect.
Afrika, Guy Lodge didn’t like the movie a month ago. I didn’t think it was the bee’s knees a month ago, either. It’s not like everyone is just changing their minds all of the sudden.
Oh, and I found a stream: tvpc.com, go to live channels and find TBS or TNT.
Or you can use ustream.com and search “SAG awards.” I’m not certain this one will work, but it might start up when the show starts.
If TKS beats TSN or The Fighter for Ensemble, I’ll be disappointed, but it would make sense and wouldn’t be the worst choice (although I love The Fighter’s ensemble). But if Rush beats Bale (Like some people have been predicting) I’ll be appalled.
I hope Joseph Gordon-Levitt got a piece of that stunt ensemble win given how much of his own stunts he did.
Steve won. YES!!!
Annette looks gorgeous. Oh my god!!! what an elegant woman.
Awards shows for television shows make me wonder, Who the hell has time to watch television?
Haha, you listed Julianna for City Island instead of The Good Wife.
Julianna Margulies, “City Island”??
Frank, a substantial proportion of us citizens watch a dozen hours plus a week.
Helena, please win.
Melissa Leo, as predicted!
She’s getting closer to the Oscar.
It’s Leo for Supporting Actress!
Melissa? so predictable.
well this makes the race between Steinfeld and Leo an interesting one. wonder how the BAFTAs will affect the Oscar race.
Happy for Leo…and that speech is how you work the crowd, great speech.
Leo is a lock for Oscar, as should be. Well done.
The race between Steinfeld and Leo? What race? It’s Game Over.
That was a terrific speech from Leo. I think she clinched it.
Re: Leo, I actually thought it was a terrible speech. While her performance is great, I’m over the very “fake sentiment speech giving” that is Melissa Leo.
I think she’s surely the front-runner, though you’ve got to wonder if Steinfeld or Bonham Carter could still upset.
I’m still hoping Helena pulls a Tilda Swinton. I wasn’t pleased with Melissa’s overacting in The Fighter.
Yay Melissa! <3 Great speech, too. I hope that only helps her down the line. I'd really love to see her win, especially since I think she should've won her category in 2008 anyway. (And Winslet's my favorite actress, but we all know she should've won 2004 instead. Oscar is all about the reimbursements.) Even on its own merit though, I think she's worthy.
Yay Melissa! <3 Great speech, too. I hope that only helps her down the line. I'd really love to see her win, especially since I think she should've won her category in 2008 anyway. (And Winslet's my favorite actress, but we all know she should've won 2004 instead. Oscar is all about the reimbursements.) Even on its own merit though, I think she's worthy.
If you’ve heard anything about the real Alice, you’d know that Leo was UNDERplaying it.
Also, Best Actor in a TV Comedy? They robbed Ed O’Neil!
And I wasn’t pleased with Helena’s underacting either.
Betty White is so cute! 89 years old and still that funny!
Hot in Cleveland? I’ve never even heard of it.
But I do love Betty White. <3
Oh man. Alec Baldwin again. Fifth year in a row! I love the guy, but he said it the best himself: Ridiculous.
Oscars looove little girls in Supporting. My money is still on Steinfeld.
I agree. Baldwin’s absolutely amazing on 30 Rock, but it’s odd that they keep voting for the same guy over and over. By now you figure they’d feel okay with spreading the wealth.
I flove Alec Baldwin, but he needs to retire himself. O’Neill should have won to compensate for his awful Emmy snub. Hope he is nominated this summer.
@Hero: Tell that to Saoirse Ronan and Abigail Breslin.
My money is still on Helena. In my book, a subtle yet effective performance is always better than being excessive and over the top.
So far, everything is predictable. I was hoping for upsets but oh well, the night ain’t over yet.
WOOHOO ‘Modern Family!’
Bonham Carter looked utterly bored and confused during that presentation.
Mila Kunis, hubba hubba.
Other James D,
And they looove lead roles slumming in Supporting. I’m not saying HS is a lock or anything, but if I were a betting woman, I’d bet on her.
I would be bored too if some overacting actress just stole my award and then delivered a pre-meditated melodramatic speech in hopes of coaxing AMPAS voters.
I still haven’t seen Marty.