By Kam Williams
ABOVE PHOTO: Octavia Spencer.
Photo: Helga Esteb / Shutterstock
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association jumpstarted the 2012 awards season Sunday evening with its annual recognition of the best in film and television. Simultaneously serving as an indicator of Oscar potential, the Golden Globes crowned The Artist and The Descendants as the early favorites by virtue of each one’s enjoying multiple wins, including in the Best Comedy or Musical and the Best Drama categories, respectively.
The former’s Jean Dujardin and the latter’s George Clooney landed acting accolades, with Meryl Streep (The Iron Lady) and Michelle Williams (My Week with Marilyn) winning as lead actresses. Streep’s victory ostensibly came primarily at the expense of The Help’s Viola Davis whose fellow cast member, Octavia Spencer, did prevail in her bid for Best Supporting Actress.
The only other people of color to take home trophies were Morgan Freeman who got a lifetime achievement award and Idris Elba for the made-for-TV movie Luther. This showing for minorities was a major improvement over 2011, when no blacks, Asians, Latinos or Native Americans won anything.
As for the festivities, host Ricky Gervais toned down his act so severely he had everybody wondering what happened to the naughty bad boy who had been so edgy a year ago. After promising to take no prisoners again in anticipation of this event, he proceeded to do just the opposite, delivering a dull monologue and coming off as equally boring while introducing presenters.
You know it’s a slow night when an appearance by the dog from The Artist, Uggie, is the highlight. Yawn.
Complete list of 2012 Golden Globe winners:
Film Categories
Best Drama
The Descendants
Best Comedy or Musical
The Artist
Best Animated Feature
The Adventures of Tintin
Best Actor in a Drama
George Clooney (The Descendants)
Best Actor in a Comedy or Musical
Jean Dujardin (The Artist)
Best Supporting Actor
Christopher Plummer (Beginners)
Best Actress in a Drama
Meryl Streep (The Iron Lady)
Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy
Michelle Williams (My Week with Marilyn)
Best Supporting Actress
Octavia Spencer (The Help)
Best Director
Martin Scorsese (Hugo)
Best Screenplay
Woody Allen (Midnight in Paris)
Best Score
Ludovic Bource (The Artist)
Best Original Song
Madonna, Julie Frost and Jimmy Harvey (“Masterpiece”)
Best Foreign Language Film
A Separation (Iran)
Cecil B. DeMille Award
Morgan Freeman
Television Categories
Best TV Series – Drama
Homeland
Best TV Series – Comedy or Musical
Modern Family
Best Mini-Series
Downton Abbey
Best Actor in a TV Drama
Kelsey Grammer (Boss)
Best Actor in a TV Musical or Comedy
Matt LeBlanc (Episodes)
Best Supporting Actor
Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones)
Best Actress in a TV Drama
Claire Danes (Homeland)
Best Actress in a TV Musical or Comedy
Laura Dern (Enlightened)
Best Supporting Actress
Jessica Lange (American Horror Story)
Best Actor in a TV Movie
Idris Elba (Luther)
Best Actress in a TV Movie
Kate Winslet (Mildred Pierce)
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