The 81st Golden Globes Awards Ceremony aired all across the globe at 8p.m. EST, Sunday, Jan. 7 . The Golden Globes have recognized American and International artists and professionals in film and television for the past 79 years.
The stars rolled up to the red carpet in Beverly Hills, California, and a couple of front-runners stepped out: Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie”, Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” and Cillian Murphy’s portrayal of the titual character. The Barbienheimer craze that struck the theaters in July was followed throughout the year by critically acclaimed films like Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon”, the international darling “Anatomy of a Fall” and the feminist Frankenstein rendition “Poor Things.” Barbie and Oppenheimer, however, stayed the standouts with the most nominations going into the night. On the television side, the thrilling “Succession” and “The Bear” were expected to do well as they stood alongside comedies and dramas like “The Morning Show”, “Ted Lasso” and “The Crown.”
Jo Koy, the host of this year’s Globes left much to be desired. Koy strung together a series of awkward and icky jokes leading Koy to get booed by the crowd and cause Taylor Swift to make a face sure to later be a meme. The transitions between award presentations were a clear swing and a miss by the Globes.
The awards, however, started off with a bang as Da’Vine Joy Randolph took best supporting female actor in a film for “The Holdovers” and Robert Downey Jr. for best supporting male actor in a film for his portrayal of Lewis Strauss in “Oppenheimer.”
“Beef” swept in limited TV series, anthology series or TV movie as Ali Wong took best female actor, Steven Yeun took best male actor and the show itself winning best limited series.
“The Bear” followed in a similar suit in the TV series – musical or comedy, as Ayo Edebiri took best female actor, Jeremy Allen White took best male actor and the show won for the best musical and comedy.
“Succession” came home with four wins in the TV series – drama: Matthew Macfadyen for best supporting male actor in a TV series, Kieran Culkin for best male actor – drama, Sarah Snook for best female actor – drama and the show for best TV series – drama.
Elizabeth Debicki took best female supporting actor in a TV series for her work as the daring Diana in “The Crown,” which came as a surprise to many viewers and critics. In another surprise, Anatomy of a Fall took best screenplay altering the thoughts of many on what might win at the academy awards when the screenplay category is split into two: adapted and original. “Anatomy of a Fall” also took best non-english language film.
“The Boy and the Heron” took best animated film and Ricky Gervais won the new category: best performance in stand-up comedy on TV.
“Poor Things” and “The Holdovers” split in the film – musical or comedy category. Emma Stone won best female actor in a film – musical or comedy, and “Poor Things” won best film – musical or comedy. Paul Giamatti of “The Holdovers” took best male actor in a film – musical or comedy alongside Randolph.
“Killers of The Flower Moon” only had one win, but it was historic. Lily Gladstone won best female actor in a film – drama and became the first indigenous woman ever to win at the globes.
“Barbie,” did not live up to its dreamhouse dream and only took two awards home in best original song “What was I made for” by Billie Eilish and Finneas and the newly created category: cinematic and boxoffice achievement.
“Oppenheimer”, however, was the standout of the night. After RDJ’s win in supporting actor, Cillian Murphy took best male actor in a film – drama, Christopher Nolan won best director in a film and Ludwig Göransson won for his work on the score. “Oppenheimer” also took best film as predicted.
While the Golden Globes broadcast was disasterous and unplanned–Koy was asked to host just ten days before–the globes emerged from controversy to reassume it’s role as a predictor of the Oscar’s. As “The Bear” and “Succession” cleaned up shop, “Poor Things” trumped “Barbie” and Gladstone made history, it was “Oppenheimer’s” five wins that stole the show solidifying it’s spot as the undeniable frontrunner going into the guilds.
