The race to March’s Academy Awards kicked into high gear at the Golden Globes, where historical drama “Oppenheimer” dominated and gothic comedy “Poor Things” upset summer blockbuster “Barbie,” the pink-spattered hit that has become a cultural phenomenon. Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer,” about the making of the atomic bomb, landed five honors, including the coveted Best Movie Drama prize and acting awards for stars Cillian Murphy and Robert Downey Jr. It also won directing for Nolan and original score for Ludwig Goransson, whose musical contributions were a highlight of an otherwise low-wattage evening.
The new owners of the Globes — Penske Media Eldridge, the joint venture of Penske and the private equity firm Eldridge — brought in hundreds of journalists from 76 countries to oversee this year’s ceremony.
Despite the scandals, this year’s ceremony felt like a celebration of the movies and Hollywood itself. In addition to recognizing some of the most critically acclaimed films of the year, it honored a diverse group of talented artists.
Many of the most memorable moments from Sunday’s ceremony come from those performances. Actors such as Lily Gladstone, who won the Best Drama Actress award for her role in Killers of the Flower Moon, opened up about her career and life. “This is a very personal win for me,” she said. “I’m proud to be a woman in this industry.”
Others made a point of speaking about the importance of their films and about the power of art to change the world. “The way I see it, the most powerful thing you can do as a creator is to tell your truth,” said filmmaker Steven Soderbergh. “And that’s what I did with this film.”
Several winners used their acceptance speeches to call out the controversial Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which dissolved after a 2021 Los Angeles Times report uncovered ethical lapses. The new owners of the Globes are a group of journalists from around the world, and the new voting pool is a good fit for the high-profile awards show.
There were a few hiccups along the way, of course. Meryl Streep was late to her seat and rushed to kiss Short before the announcer interrupted them, but she was gracious in accepting her award for Best Supporting Actress. Downey also had technical difficulties during his speech, but his humor and grace kept the audience laughing.
