It was a night of beauty, tears, hilarity, talent, and most importantly, awkwardness.
While most people were snuggled inside their houses, the stars of Hollywood strolled down the red carpet in perfect 80 degree weather at the 68th Annual Golden Globes on Jan. 16.
The Golden Globes is the one night of the year in Hollywood when TV stars are given the opportunity to rub shoulders with the movie industry’s heavy weights. The night is a plethora of talent ranging from Jane Lynch (“Glee”) to superstars like Brad Pitt and Natalie Portman.
The night began on the red carpet where fashion was the star. The latest trend appeared to be baby bumps, as it seemed as if all the women of Hollywood were pregnant. Natalie Portman majorly missed in her pink satin dress that had an awkward rose at the top of her baby bump. Her “Black Swan” costar, Mila Kunis, however, worked her first Golden Globes in a beautiful emerald green dress.
Eight o’clock could not have come any sooner as all of the stars rushed to fill the Beverly Hilton for a night of glamour. Host Ricky Gervais (the creator of “The Office”) kicked off the event with his boorish rant on the movie “The Tourist,” stating that the movie was filled with “two-dimensional characters.”
However, while the audience was grinding their teeth at the sheer awkwardness of the moment, neither the very orange Johnny Depp nor the very in love Angelina Jolie seemed to even blush at any of Gervais’ comments. Maybe they chose to agree, or more realistically kept their anger inside.
Upon Gervais’ next appearance both the audience and the viewers at home cringed and held their breath in anticipation of what he might say next. He proved everyone right when he introduced Bruce Willis as “Ashton Kutcher’s dad.”
Newcomer Andrew Garfield seemed incredibly nervous when it was his turn to introduce “The Social Network” into the Best Motion Picture- Drama category. He stumbled upon the word “inspiringly” numerous times, but his adorable British accent made up for it.
Eyes rolled when Justin Bieber and the very talented 14-year-old Hailee Steinfeld presented the Golden Globe for Best Animated Movie. Naturally, the award went to “Toy Story 3.”
Ricky Gervais then introduced Robert Downey Jr., who said what everyone was thinking by calling Gervais “mean-spirited.” RDJ always tells the truth, and by this point in the show he might have been the funniest person out there. His job was to present the Golden Globe to Best Actress (comedy), but he went a step further and made a hysterical speech on the “beauty” of all the nominees.
The Golden Globe for Best Actress (drama) was presented by Jeff Bridges, last year’s winner for Best Actor- Drama. No one was surprised to see a very pregnant Natalie Portman go up to accept the Globe. Her hormones must have been running because she was definitely rambling, but you can’t help to be happy for her. She deserves it for her mesmerizing role in “Black Swan.”
What happened to comedies this year? Was the only good one “The Kids Are All Right?” It must have been, because it won the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture (comedy). Seriously?
Sandra Bullock presented the Golden Globe for Best Actor (drama), which went to the Colin Firth for his realistic performance in “The King’s Speech.”
Finally, the moment everyone was waiting for—the last award of the night the Golden Globe for Best Picture (drama). Michael Douglas, who received a standing ovation for his first major appearance after a battle with cancer, presented the Golden Globe to “The Social Network.”
While most of the cast and crew of “The Social Network” all piled on stage to accept the award, the two young, modest and somewhat awkward stars of the movie, Jessie Eisenberg and Andrew Garfield, stayed seated until producer Scott Rudin forced them onto the stage. As the show neared an end, Rudin, on behalf of the cast and crew, gave thanks to Mark Zuckerberg.
With a total of four Golden Globes won that night, “The Social Network” is unquestionably and justifiably the movie of the year.
The winners of the 2011 Golden Globe awards are as follows:
Best supporting actor (drama) – Christian Bale, “The Fighter”
Best actress (television series – drama) – Katey Sagal, “Sons of Anarchy”
Best TV movie – “Carlos”
Best supporting actor in a television series – Chris Colfer, “Glee”
Best actor (television series – drama) – Steve Buscemi, “Boardwalk Empire”
Best TV series (drama) – “Boardwalk Empire”
Best Motion Picture (drama) – “The Social Network”
Best Original Song – “Burlesque”
Best Original Score – “The Social Network”
Best Animated Movie – “Toy Story 3”
Best Actress (comedy) – Annette Bening, “The Kids Are All Right”
Best Actor in a “Televisual” Movie – Al Pacino, “You Don’t Know Jack”
Best Screen Play – Aaron Sorkin, “The Social Network”
Best Supporting Actress in a TV Series (musical or comedy) – Jane Lynch, “Glee”
Best Foreign Film – “In a Better World”
Best Actor (television) – Jim Parsons
Best Actress (television) – Laura Linney
The Cecil B. DeMille Award for Lifetime Achievement in Acting – Robert De Niro
Best Director – David Fincher, “The Social Network”
Best TV Series (musical or comedy) – “Glee”
Best Actor (comedy) – Paul Giamatti, “Barney’s Version”
Best Actress (drama) – Natalie Portman, “Black Swan”
Best Motion Picture (comedy) – “The Kids Are All Right”
Best Actor (drama) – Colin Firth, “The King’s Speech”
Best Picture (drama) – “The Social Network”