On a magical night filled with stars and celebrities, Christopher Nolan’s fantastic biopic movie ‘Oppenheimer’ stole the show at the 81st Golden Globes! It walked away with five awards, including the prestigious Best Drama category. The night was truly a dazzling celebration of glitz and glamor.
The American blockbuster film also won best director for Nolan, best drama actor for Cillian Murphy, best supporting actor for Robert Downey Jr. and best original score for Ludwig Göransson as well.
Emma Thomas, the producer of the film, accepting the award on behalf of the cast and crew during the final ceremony of the evening, said, “Can you feel my heart pounding? Because it’s going crazy right now”.
Sharing the incredible journey of making the film, she stated, “This has been an amazing experience crafting this film. What you see here is just a small representation of the many people who contributed to making it what it is. I’ve enjoyed listening to everyone discuss their work tonight. It’s evident that what we do is all about collaboration, and that’s something truly magical and exciting.”
Emma also expressed her joy for Christopher Nolan’s earlier win as Best Director, saying, “I truly believe that what he does is incomparable. Chris has a way of bringing out the best in people by being the very best himself.”
During his emotional speech, Nolan became teary-eyed while remembering Heath Ledger. “The only other time I stood on this stage was when I accepted one of these on behalf of our dear friend, Heath Ledger,” Nolan revealed. “That was a complex and challenging moment for me.”
“Poor Things” not only snagged the award for Best Comedy or Musical but also celebrated Emma Stone’s win for her portrayal of Bella, a Victorian woman navigating a surreal life and sexual awakening. Emma Stone charmingly remarked, “I see this as a rom-com, but not in the traditional sense of falling for a person. Bella falls in love with life itself, embracing both the good and the bad. It genuinely made me rethink how I view life.”
Lily Gladstone was awarded the Best Actress in a Dramatic Film for her role in Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon.” Lily, who started her speech in the language of her native tribe, Blackfeet Nation, became the first Indigenous winner in this category. “This is a historic win, and it doesn’t just belong to me”, was Gladstone’s humble submission over this significant victory.
Oppenheimer, the blockbuster biopic broke records for the highest earnings last year. It features Cillian Murphy in the role of Robert J. Oppenheimer who was the man behind the atomic bomb. The other cast members are Emily Blunt as Kitty Oppenheimer and Robert Downey Jr. taking on the character of Lewis Strauss.
Oppenheimer faced tough competition from Anatomy of a Fall, Killers of the Flower Moon, Maestro, Past Lives, and the Zone of Interest.The legendary Hollywood actress Oprah Winfrey presented the awards, and she shared a heartfelt sentiment, saying, “Movies have the power to change the way we perceive the world.”
The 81st edition of the Globes marked a new chapter amidst uncertainty. Following a turbulent period and numerous scandals, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association underwent dissolution, paving the way for a revamped Globes on a different network. The aim was clear – to reclaim its position as the third most significant award show, trailing behind the Oscars and Grammys. Everything, including the menu featuring Nobu’s sushi, underwent a transformation.
Acknowledging the change, Robert Downey Jr. expressed his gratitude in his acceptance speech, saying, “Golden Globes journalists, thank you for changing your game, therefore changing your name.”
The event had a rocky start with host Jo Koy taking the stage at the Beverly Hilton International Ballroom in Beverly Hills, California. The Filipino American stand-up touched on various expected topics, including Ozempic, Meryl Streep’s award-winning prowess, and the long-standing saga of Oppenheimer.
Robert Downey Jr. clinched his third Globe, leaving Kenergy empty-handed. Ryan Gosling, considered his toughest rival, was one among the numerous contenders in the fierce competition between Oppenheimer and Greta Gerwig’s Barbie. The two filmmakers went head-to-head in the best director category, with Nolan ultimately emerging victorious.
It took a couple of hours, but finally, Barbie, the year’s mega success with over $1.4 billion in ticket sales, claimed an award. Billie Eilish’s “What Was I Made For?” nabbed the best song, swiftly followed by Barbie securing the new Globes honor for “cinematic and box office achievement.” Some had anticipated Taylor Swift might get this recognition for her Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour, which also set box office records.
In a stunning pink gown inspired by the 1977 Superstar Barbie, Margot Robbie, the star and producer of Barbie, accepted the award, dedicating it to everyone who adorned themselves and headed to the magical realm of movie theaters.
Barbie and Oppenheimer, both blockbuster films sharing a common release date, also went head-to-head in the best screenplay category. However, in a surprising twist, Justine Triet and Arthur Harari clinched the award for the script of the French courtroom drama, Anatomy of a Fall. Later, Triet’s film also scooped up the best international film award.”
While the Globes may not guarantee success at the Academy Awards, they can significantly influence campaigns during this critical period. With Oscar nomination voting kicking off on Thursday, the attention is firmly on the dual sensations of Barbenheimer, which currently lead the pack.
However, strong contenders like Poor Things and The Holdovers are also on the horizon. In Alexander Payne’s The Holdovers, both Paul Giamatti and Da’Vine Joy Randolph claimed victory. Giamatti, reuniting with Payne after two decades since Sideways, earned the title of best actor, while Randolph secured the win for her supporting performance as a grieving woman in the 1970s-set boarding school drama.
Expressing her gratitude for the character, Randolph said, “Oh, Mary, you have changed my life. You have made me feel seen in so many ways that I have never imagined.”
It took a surprising turn when Hayao Miyazaki’s ‘The Boy and the Heron’ took home the award for best animated film, defeating ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’.