Random Musing/In the News: The Golden Globes '09

And now, my official thoughts on the star-studded night... (Kate has TWO Globes!!!)

Best Picture (Drama)
• “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
• “Frost/Nixon”
• “The Reader”
• “Revolutionary Road”
• “Slumdog Millionaire”

This is a huge win. While I have been biased toward “Revolutionary Road” for some time now, it is hard to deny the power “Slumdog” has had over critics of late. 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”

Unfortunately, the follow-up to the Coen Brothers’ “No Country For Old Men,” “Burn After Reading,” disappoints in this category, leading iconic director Woody Allen’s “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” to snatch the prize. 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”

Having seen only the trailer, I expected Mickey Rourke to pick up the award in this category. While I have long been a fan of DiCaprio, 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”

Kate Winslet is undeniably the greatest actress of our generation (on the heels of fellow nominee, Meryl Streep), and I have long expected her to finally win Best Actress. With her (admitted) lack of trophies at both the Globes and the Oscars, I knew a role such as hers 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 overwhelming emotions during her acceptance are understandable, considering she was nominated against three Oscar winners. Despite her success here, it would be unlikely to see her at next month’s Oscars.

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”

Heath Ledger was set to become one of the greatest actors of our generation. While I, like many others, praised his role as the Joker in “The Dark Knight,” I must unfortunately be the bad guy and call his win “the sympathy vote.” Naturally, Foreign Press voters recognized his star on the rise, and with his final performance on film being so universally lauded, why not award him for what could have been? Think about it—who was the last actor from a superhero film that you saw take home an award? That’s right—keep thinking… Anyway, 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 Kate Winslet finally win an award, she wins two! She achieves this history-making feat by evading double nominations from “Doubt,” including Viola Davis, whom I favored. If Winslet wins both categories at the Oscars, she will make history there, too.

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.