As each carefully assigned seat fills up, the star-studded crowd starts to pour in, anticipating one of the biggest nights in the film and entertainment industry. The 83rd Golden Globe Awards Ceremony took place on Sunday, Jan.11th, with host Nikki Glaser making yet another return.
The moment Glaser stepped on stage, her natural wit and dry humour led to a switch in the atmosphere, from nervous chatter into hearty laughs. However, Glaser’s seemingly effortless delivery took practice. Rehearsing her opening monologue 93 times leading up to the ceremony, Glaser’s dedication is a clear reflection of the respect put towards the Golden Globes show.
With the number of highly rated neck-to-neck films and actors in each category, the buzz about who deserves which awards consumed the media. When the top awards were announced, a few wins stood out as defining moments of this year’s Golden Globes.
The most anticipated award of the night, for Best Motion Picture, had many worthy and critically acclaimed films gunning for the top spot. Alas, the tragic and deeply dramatic film Hamnet secured the award for best picture of the night. Naturally, this decision immediately sparked discussions online.
“I do like Hamnet, but I really think that Sinners should’ve won. It is just so deep and so moving. I don’t think any other movie truly compares,” sophomore Camila Gonzalez states.
Another equally controversial award was Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama, as well as its category for male actors. Jessie Buckley took the cake for her performance in Hamnet. Despite this, other challenging and worthy competitors, such as actress Tessa Thompson in the romance/drama film Hedda, and even Michael B. Jordan in the nationwide Horror/Action hit, Sinners, shouldn’t be overlooked.
“I really loved Michael B. Jordan’s acting in Sinners. I admit I haven’t really seen all of those other [Golden Globe nominees’] films, but they must be really good to top his performance in that movie. I think he should’ve won,” sophomore Emma Estevez comments.
A meaningful yet less discussed category, Best Motion Picture–Non-English Language, dominated by the thriller/crime Brazilian film, The Secret Agent, has more of an impact on the legacy of the Golden Globes than most might think. A night like this is not only important for the entertainment industry but for the expression of art and creativity in itself. It allows for the recognition of excellence to be extended not only within our borders but to many other parts of the world.
The recognition of hard work and determination at ceremonies like the Golden Globes is what keeps this industry alive. Beyond the glitz and glamour, storytelling and emotional authenticity that every one of these films intends to portray is what connects audiences. The awards season is only just beginning, and the Golden Globes have set the stage for more conversation, competition, and hard work to come.
