The completely opposite films “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” caused a sensation as “Barbenheimer” and made a splash at the box office – but at the Golden Globes, the nine-time nominated favorite “Barbie” suffered a defeat. The historical epic about J. Robert Oppenheimer, the co-inventor of the atomic bomb, won five Globe trophies, including the top Globe for best drama.
The Irish star Cillian Murphy and director Christopher Nolan both won the first Globe of their long careers, and there was also gold for the film music and for supporting actor Robert Downey Jr. The flashy satire “Barbie”, with Margot Robbie in the role of the iconic doll, had to be content with two prizes – in the new blockbuster category “Cinematic and Box Office Achievement” for box office hits and for the song “What Was I Made For?” by Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell.
Two awards for Hülser’s film “Anatomy of a Case”
For Sandra Hülser and the “Anatomy of a Case” team, the Globe Gala got off to a surprisingly good start on Monday night. The French filmmaker Justine Triet and her partner Arthur Harari surprisingly prevailed in the “Best Screenplay” category against heavyweights such as “Oppenheimer” and “Killers of the Flower Moon”.
Shortly afterwards, the team also won the award for best non-English language film. In the legal thriller, Hülser shines in the role of a wife who has to defend herself against murder charges in court.
Director Triet thanked the German star on the Globe stage. Hülser never tried to portray a “perfect heroine”. Rather, she created a complex woman “who never apologizes for saying what she thinks.” Hülser (45), who walked the red carpet in Beverly Hills in a green evening dress, did not make it to the end of the three-hour show.
Lily Gladstone and Emma Stone receive awards
With her first Globe nomination in the category “Best Actress in a Motion Picture Drama” she lost to the American Lily Gladstone (37, “Killers of the Flower Moon”). In Martin Scorsese’s historical thriller about crimes against the indigenous Osage people, Gladstone plays a tribal woman.
She began her acceptance speech in her own tribal language. She is the first Indigenous person to win a Globe for Best Actress. It was the only trophy for the seven-time nominated epic.
There were two Globes for the fantasy fairy tale “Poor Things” by director Yorgos Lanthimos – for best comedy and for leading actress Emma Stone in a comedy. Paul Giamatti impressed with his leading role as a grumpy history teacher in the tragicomedy “The Holdovers”.
Lots of champagne, lots of stars – but no politics
The Globe distributors had worked hard to bring numerous celebrities – including Oprah Winfrey, Jodie Foster, Michelle Yeoh and Kevin Costner – onto the stage as presenters. They also maintained their reputation as Hollywood’s boozy, champagne-flowing trophy show.
After the months-long strike by screenwriters and actors, many seemed happy to be able to celebrate the glittering world of Hollywood again. A young couple caused a stir: actor Timothée Chalamet and entrepreneur Kylie Jenner had a lot of fun and attracted attention in the packed ballroom – including a kiss. “Barbie” star Margot Robbie wore a pink robe, Taylor Swift stood out in a green dress, and Selena Gomez wore a bright red outfit.
Unlike in previous years, the stars on stage did not use the spotlight for political matters. Robert De Niro came away empty-handed as Best Supporting Actor and so didn’t get the opportunity to strike out against Donald Trump in the usual manner. The war in Ukraine or the Middle East was not an issue.
Maybe that was also due to the comedian Jo Koy, who appeared on stage as host for the first time – less snappy and accurate than many of his predecessors. After all, he only got the job shortly before Christmas and had little time, he conceded.
“Succession” and “The Bear” win in TV divisions
In contrast to the Oscars, the Globes also honor TV productions. A dysfunctional US media dynasty and the warm-hearted team of a sandwich restaurant were the big winners in the TV categories. The fourth and final season of “Succession,” about the intrigues in a failing family business, was named best drama series.
Best comedy series went to “The Bear – King of the Kitchen,” a fast-paced look at the unusual cohesion behind the scenes in the restaurant industry. Actors from both series also won all four best actor awards.
As an Oscar barometer, the Globes should be viewed with caution. Around three hundred foreign journalists decide on the Globes, compared to 10,000 Academy members who will vote on the Oscar candidates in the next few weeks. The nominations for Hollywood’s highest honor will be announced on January 23rd, and the 96th trophy show will take place on March 10th.
