From highly anticipated series finales (ahem, “Breaking Bad”) to a string of end of the year “Oscar bait” movies, 2013 was a memorable year for television and film alike. On Sunday, Jan. 12, these two industries came together for the star-studded 71st Annual Golden Globes. Hosted by real-life best friends Amy Poehler (“Parks and Recreation”) and Tina Fey (“30 Rock”), the show was full of celebrity guests, surprise wins, long-winded speeches and red carpet fashions.
Whether it is due to the more relaxed, round-table setup of the awards show or simply because bringing so many varying celebrities in one room makes it seem more like a giant party than a formal awards ceremony, there is usually a more laid-back and less ceremonial atmosphere about the Golden Globes as opposed to the Oscars. Poehler and Fey helped contribute to that tone. As this was their second year in a row hosting together, the duo appeared at home onstage. Throughout the show, the two made jokes aimed at everyone from specific actors (such as a crack about George Clooney’s inclination to date younger women) to Hollywood itself (Fey’s comment that “if something kind of works, they’ll just keep doing it until everybody hates it”). Seeing two of Hollywood’s most notable comedians hosting one of the most significant award shows two years in a row is an important trend for women in Hollywood, proving they can be successful, talented and funny—hopefully a trend that continues throughout the industry.
As far as the television industry was concerned, the night was full of wins expected, surprising and long overdue. “Breaking Bad’s” two wins for Best TV Series, Drama and Best Actor in a TV Series, Drama, (Bryan Cranston) were not surprising at all, but it was still wonderful to see the cast gathered together again. It can be difficult for a new television series to win over more established ones, but “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” did just that with wins in the Best TV Series, Musical or Comedy and Best Actor in a TV Series, Musical or Comedy (Andy Samberg) categories. One of the Golden Globes’ most talked about acceptance speeches was undeniably the nervous, somewhat rambling one delivered by Jacqueline Bisset, who won Best Supporting Actress in series for Dancing on the Edge. While it may not have been perfectly eloquent, it was refreshing to see an actor appear genuinely shocked to win.
When it came to film, the Golden Globes delivered some expected wins. 12 Years a Slave’s win for Best Motion Picture, Drama was not a surprise, locking the film in as a clear candidate to win the Best Picture Oscar later this spring.
The much-talked-about American Hustle capitalized on its critical approval by receiving three Golden Globes, while Disney’s Frozen predictably claimed Best Animated Feature. Matthew McConaughey (Dallas Buyers Club) and Cate Blanchett (Blue Jasmine) both took home Golden Globes in their highly competitive categories, while my personal Golden Globes highlight was seeing Leonardo Dicaprio (The Wolf of Wall Street) win his second Golden Globe, after winning in 2005 for The Aviator.
While the heart of the Golden Globes show is definitely the artistic works being honored, it is impossible to watch the show without noting the red carpet fashions. Personally, Poehler and Fey’s outfits during their opening monologue were among the most tasteful of the night, along with Cate Blanchett and Kate Beckinsale’s dresses. As for Paula Patton, Zoe Saldana and (as much as I like her as an actress) Jennifer Lawrence, they may have missed the mark.
As for male celebrities, Leonardo Dicaprio, Usher Raymond and Chris Pine showed up in dapper designer tuxes. Ultimately, a main purpose of the Golden Globes—as far as cinema is concerned—is to hint at what films stand the best shot of winning an Oscar.
Airing March 2 (with another comedian, Ellen DeGeneres, taking the hosting reigns), it is another awards show I definitely will not miss.
