The Greatest Showman - Chapter 1176: It Doesn't Matter
Meanwhile, Los Angeles remained bathed in warm sunshine, palm trees swaying gently under the golden glow. The city's sprawling streets invited open-top convertibles, their passengers spreading their arms as if soaring freely, standing atop the world with an unrivaled sense of exhilaration. The stark contrast between the coasts continued to lure more and more people westward, escaping the cold and immersing themselves in the festivities of awards season—a place where worries could be momentarily forgotten, replaced by euphoria.
The 2012 awards season had entered its second phase, culminating in the much-anticipated 70th Golden Globe Awards.
For the second consecutive year, Renly Hall was absent from the ceremony, but this time, it barely sparked any discussion. Despite his dominance in headlines over the past year, his presence in the awards race had dwindled, and the once fervent topic of "Li-Hall" had begun to feel like a relic of the past—a classic, yes, but no longer part of the mainstream conversation.
Renly's agent, Andy Rodgers, had issued an early statement explaining his client's absence, citing a scheduling conflict with the ongoing filming of Gravity. Due to the unpredictability of the shoot, Renly had declined the Hollywood Foreign Press Association's invitation. Though production had wrapped in time for the event, Renly still opted out, focusing entirely on his work.
His absence was a relief to both him and the Detachment crew. Director Tony Kaye had spent December and January traveling between major film festivals—Berlin, Stockholm, Sundance, Tokyo—not to promote Detachment, but to engage with fellow artists in discussions about the film's themes and artistic visions. As Tony put it, "I'm gathering inspiration for my next project."
Kaye even visited Renly on set at Surrey Photography Base but found him too engrossed in work to engage in conversation. Instead, Kaye had an extended discussion with Alfonso Cuarón and ended up staying for half a month, leaving with a wealth of new ideas. His free-spirited nature allowed Gravity to proceed without unnecessary distractions, something Renly deeply appreciated.
"Don't let other producers hear that," Tony had joked. "Or they'll never dare hire you again."
With Detachment absent from the awards season, no one seemed to miss it. Likewise, Renly's absence from the Golden Globes caused no stir. The show carried on with its usual glitz and glamour, its focus shifting to the fierce competition among films like Argo and Lincoln—a spectacle that ensured endless discussions.
The Golden Globes Recap
The awards ceremony unfolded with its characteristic blend of elegance and controversy. Les Misérables, which had received lukewarm initial reviews, emerged as the biggest winner in the Musical/Comedy category, claiming Best Picture, Best Actor (Hugh Jackman), and Best Supporting Actress (Anne Hathaway). Its Oscar prospects, previously uncertain, gained newfound momentum. Critics remarked, "It may not be an exceptional film, but it aligns well with the Academy's tastes."
In the drama category, Argo took home Best Picture and Best Director, cementing Ben Affleck's place as a formidable force in Hollywood's directorial ranks. Once criticized for his acting, Affleck had now fully reinvented himself, drawing widespread acclaim. However, his victory went to his head.
During post-ceremony celebrations, Affleck reportedly made bold claims about being the best director of the year. He reminded guests of his 1997 Oscar for Good Will Hunting and lamented how his talent had long been overlooked. His brash statements quickly became a hot topic, with many in the industry expressing dissatisfaction with his arrogance.
Meanwhile, Django Unchained secured Best Supporting Actor (Christoph Waltz) and Best Screenplay (Quentin Tarantino), keeping it firmly in Oscar contention. Lincoln, despite leading the nominations with seven nods, walked away with only one win—Best Actor for Daniel Day-Lewis, a somewhat underwhelming outcome.
Jennifer Lawrence (Silver Linings Playbook) and Jessica Chastain (Zero Dark Thirty) took home the Best Actress awards in their respective categories, setting up a head-to-head battle leading into the Oscars.
The Oscar Nominations Shock
Just three days after the Golden Globes, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the nominations for the 85th Academy Awards. The expansion of the Best Picture category had turned this stage into a battleground, with nine films making the cut:
Argo
Lincoln
Life of Pi
Zero Dark Thirty
Silver Linings Playbook
Amour
Les Misérables
Django Unchained
Beasts of the Southern Wild
The biggest surprise? The Sundance sensation Beasts of the Southern Wild, which had seemingly faded from public consciousness, pulled off an incredible comeback, earning four nominations—including Best Director.
The Best Director nominations brought even more shockwaves:
Steven Spielberg (Lincoln)
Ang Lee (Life of Pi)
Michael Haneke (Amour)
David O. Russell (Silver Linings Playbook)
Benh Zeitlin (Beasts of the Southern Wild)
Two glaring omissions set Hollywood abuzz—Kathryn Bigelow (Zero Dark Thirty) and, most notably, Ben Affleck (Argo), despite his Golden Globe win.
Affleck, who had been considered a frontrunner for the Oscar, was reportedly furious. Rumors swirled that he stormed out of a celebratory dinner, smashing a table in frustration. In private conversations, he labeled the snub a "witch hunt" and accused the Academy of jealousy. Even the efforts of his close friends Matt Damon and George Clooney couldn't temper his outrage.
Fortunately, he managed to restrain himself from venting publicly.
Yet, the damage was done. His remarks circulated rapidly, fueling debates about the politics of Oscar nominations.
And this was only the beginning.