The Hollywood award season has begun with the 81st Golden Globes and was an evening of generally satisfying results for a group of projects, cast and crew that I enjoyed in 2023. I hope you enjoy my golden globes recap.
Highlighting the Big Winners of the Night
Oppenheimer took most of the night’s film awards (5 of the 8 it was nominated for, including Best Drama). It’s safe to say that Best Director for Christopher Nolan at the 2024 Golden Globes was inevitable but no less earned (especially after being snubbed for years). The actor’s category was very satisfying as one of my favourites Cillian Murphy rightfully took the award for Lead in a Drama, whilst Supporting Actor went to co-star, Robert Downey Jr, to me, the most incomparable performance of last year. I am now assured that come the Oscars, Murphy and Downey Jr are primed for a full shelf of gold. Finally, Ludwig Göransson, who gave us the best soundtrack of Nolan’s filmography, took Original Score, which was an inordinate treat.
Historic Wins and Surprising Moments
Lily Gladstone, who was fabulously nuanced in Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon, made history by being the first Indigenous actor to win Best Dramatic Actress at the Globes. For me, the most satisfying moment of the 81st annual Golden Globe Awards was to see the forever-underestimated Paul Giamatti gain his win for Best Actor in a Comedy or Musical in the quirky misadventure. The Holdovers. Giamatti has gained his fair share of success, but like Jeffrey Wright (also nominated) I find his subtle vigour and charm go amiss with critics and audiences. Whilst I’m still confident that the Oscars will snub some of these winners, it is brilliant to see the Globes and their more inviting categories grant lesser-known talents and their deeply meaningful performances a spotlight.
The Non-English Film Category Shocks and Surprises
In the non-English section of the Golden Globe Awards, Anatomy of a Fall surprised me because I was confident that Past Lives would scoop the victory. Now, as it is one of the few I’ve yet to see, my anticipation skyrockets as it also took Best Adapted Screenplay, beating Oppenheimer and Flower Moon. The same for Poor Things (having just opened in UK cinemas) after the surreal-sci-fi took Best Comedy and Musical and its lead, Emma Stone, scooped Best Actress.
Mixed Feelings on Special Awards and Snubs
Conversely, Barbie took only Best Original Song and the newly appointed Best Cinematic Achievement. Whilst the film achieved a miraculous triumph, critically and financially, I find that the latter award does not belong amongst the others. It feels like a desperate way for the Golden Globe Awards to show relevance. As for the former, Billie Eilish superficially created a decent tune with ‘What Was I Made For?’. Personally, however, Ryan Gosling, whose talent knows no ends, should have scooped the victory due to his ability to raise the ceiling despite minimal musical background (and create a huge internet sensation) for ‘I’m Just Ken’.
Television Triumphs: Succession and Beyond
In the television sphere, HBO’s Succession was primed also to take all and rightfully so as no other drama series nominated matched its epic scale. The Bear (currently streaming on Disney Plus) too sliced and diced the Comedy section, which included rising stars, Jeremy Allen White and Ayo Edebiri sizzling in the actor’s category. However, it was disappointing that the black-comedy was not recognised at the 2024 Golden Globes. Barry, with its sadistically brilliant final season, missed out on all the TV awards. Finally, Netflix’s Korean/American Beef soared in the Miniseries section (winning all three) in spectacular (if not predictable) fashion.
Overall, in this golden globes recap the night left me satisfied with most of the wins and Oppenheimer emerged as the favourite for the big prizes at the Oscars in March. Let us hope for a similar feeling when the rest of the 2024 award season gets underway.
