The Greatest Showman - Chapter 803: Absent Golden Ball
The television category is particularly competitive this year. Critically acclaimed shows like Homeland, Game of Thrones, American Horror Story, Boardwalk Empire, Breaking Bad, The Good Wife, and Downton Abbey are all vying for top honors. Likewise, stars such as Kate Winslet, Diane Lane, Zooey Deschanel, Alec Baldwin, Matt LeBlanc, and Bryan Cranston are gracing the ceremony with their presence.
In contrast, the film category feels somewhat underwhelming. There are no record-breaking box office titans nor grand cinematic epics dominating the awards season. Instead, the focus leans towards smaller productions with intimate storytelling, resulting in a relatively subdued competitive atmosphere. Nevertheless, the industry's biggest names—Steven Spielberg, Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Martin Scorsese, Woody Allen, Meryl Streep, Jodie Foster, Charlize Theron, Aaron Sorkin, David Fincher, and Christian Bale—are all in attendance, ensuring the event remains a spectacle.
Meanwhile, a new wave of talent is making its presence felt. Rooney Mara, Ryan Gosling, Natalie Portman, Michelle Williams, Shailene Woodley, Jonah Hill, Michael Fassbender, Rose Byrne, and Melissa McCarthy are carving out their place in Hollywood's future.
With nearly 200 guests, more than 400 reporters, an audience of over 600, and an additional 600 spectators outside, the Golden Globes remains a grand affair. Many considered Renly's absence a loss, as he was expected to be the center of attention, rivalling industry heavyweights like George Clooney, Ryan Gosling, and Brad Pitt. However, by the end of the four-hour ceremony, some opinions had shifted—perhaps his absence was not a misstep after all.
A Ceremony Lacking Spark
Whether it was a result of last year's backlash or simply a lack of compelling material, Ricky Gervais' performance as host was noticeably restrained. While he managed to keep the audience engaged, the evening lacked his signature biting humor, leading to a relatively tepid response. The ratings reflected this decline—the 69th Golden Globe Awards drew 16 million viewers, with a 5.0 rating, marking a 15% drop from the previous year. Though not catastrophic, it was disappointing given the star-studded lineup.
Ironically, despite the decline, the Golden Globes remained NBC's most-watched non-sports live event. Ricky Gervais even joked in his opening monologue, "The first-time host of the world's second-largest awards show, aired by the fourth-largest TV network in the U.S."
Uninspiring Winners
The night's winners failed to generate much excitement. In the Best Motion Picture – Drama category, The Help left empty-handed, Hugo failed to capitalize on its momentum, and The Descendants, a film about mid-life crises, took home the top honor. However, its reception was lukewarm compared to Alexander Payne's previous works, Sideways and About Schmidt, making its victory feel somewhat underwhelming.
In the Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy category, The Artist pulled off an unexpected win, triumphing over box-office hit Bridesmaids, the critically adored 50/50, and Woody Allen's Midnight in Paris, which was his most celebrated work in two decades.
The drama category was defined by consistency—most nominees were of comparable quality, making the competition tight. In contrast, the musical/comedy field had clear frontrunners, with Midnight in Paris, 50/50, The Artist, and Bridesmaids standing out. However, The Artist, a French production paying homage to Hollywood's golden age, emerged victorious despite lacking a renowned director, an A-list cast, or major studio backing. It was a win that was neither shocking nor particularly exhilarating—just perplexing.
Martin Scorsese claimed Best Director for Hugo, reinforcing his resurgence after years of chasing Oscar gold. Since Casino in 1995, Scorsese had tailored his films to Academy expectations—Gangs of New York, The Aviator, and The Departed all followed this formula. Now, freed from that pursuit, Shutter Island and Hugo have rekindled the energy of his earlier work, earning him widespread acclaim. Defeating Woody Allen, Alexander Payne, George Clooney, and Michel Hazanavicius, Scorsese reaffirmed his place as a dominant force this awards season.
The Battle of the Actors
Among the actresses, Meryl Streep's portrayal in The Iron Lady secured her Best Actress – Drama win with ease, while Michelle Williams' performance in My Week with Marilyn earned her Best Actress – Musical or Comedy. Octavia Spencer's compelling work in The Help won her Best Supporting Actress, solidifying her status as an awards season favorite.
In contrast, the Best Actor category was filled with controversy. George Clooney won Best Actor – Drama for The Descendants, while Jean Dujardin took home Best Actor – Musical or Comedy for The Artist. Christopher Plummer, with his performance in Beginners, finally secured his long-awaited award.
Hollywood's tendency to favor veteran actors over rising stars was evident once again. Jonah Hill (28), Ryan Gosling (32), Renly Hall (22), and Michael Fassbender (35) were all overlooked. The youngest winner among the male actors was Jean Dujardin, at 40. Both Gosling and Hall, considered the frontrunners, were left empty-handed.
Renly was a strong contender in both the drama (Like Crazy) and musical/comedy (50/50) categories. His performance in Like Crazy was hailed as the most striking romantic performance since Annie Hall (1977), drawing comparisons to the late Heath Ledger. Meanwhile, Fassbender's nuanced and emotionally raw performance in Shame had captivated Hollywood, establishing him as a force to be reckoned with. Yet, both were overlooked in favor of Clooney.
In the musical/comedy category, it was expected to be a showdown between Renly (50/50) and Jean Dujardin (The Artist). Though Renly had a slight edge in North America, his youth worked against him. Ultimately, Dujardin took home the award, with many speculating that Renly's dual nominations led to a vote split.
As the night ended, the biggest question remained—could Renly and Ryan reclaim their momentum at the Oscars? Rather than clarifying the race, the Golden Globes only deepened the uncertainty.