I may work in book publicity, but good film and television are two things about which I’m equally passionate. In line with that interest, I live for Awards Season. I was supposed to go to a movie with my mom last night, but instead stayed in to catch the Golden Globes on NBC as opposed to later via DVR.
Before the show started, I kicked myself for not yet having seen Hugo, The Descendents, or The Artist, and as a result, I feel limited on my ability to fully comment on the worthiness of each award. I can, however, share my happiness in the winners whom I did feel deserved every ounce of their solid Golden Globe wins.
Best Actress, Drama: Meryl Streep, “The Iron Lady.”
Best Director: Martin Scorsese, “Hugo.”
Best Supporting Actress: Octavia Spencer, “The Help.”
Best Actress, Miniseries or Movie: Kate Winslet, “Mildred Pierce.”
Don’t be surprised that Woody Allen’s win for Midnight in Paris didn’t make my cut. I wasn’t a huge fan, because it felt like a complete and total departure — in the wrong direction — from his other work. That’s not say that it was bad, but I suppose I was so seriously unprepared for the course the film took, that I felt disappointed.
As for the others, I feel that Meryl totally owned her performance of Margaret Thatcher, as I think I made clear from my review of the film. While I didn’t see Hugo, I’m a huge Scorsese fan and have hard only amazing things about his take on Brian Selznick‘s book. Octavia Spencer was outstanding in The Help. She brought the character from the novel to life, and was sassy, sensational, and soulful. Lastly, but certainly not least excellent, was Kate Winslet’s command of her role in Mildred Pierce. Her range grows more and more evident with each piece she appears in, and her role in Mildred Pierce was not necessarily flattering, but she did not let it hold her back. She embraced the role, as she seems to embrace everything that comes her way.
I look forward to giving the other films a gander, most notably The Artist and Hugo. Next stop: The BAFTAs.
I haven’t seen most of the films on this year’s nomination list, sadly, but I did see Midnight in Paris because I’m a writer and, as such, my friends all told me I had had had to see it. So maybe it was too hyped, but I was disappointed. I’m not a film expert, though I should be (film major), so I don’t know Woody Allen’s style well, but I’d be interested to know what about it was a departure or turned you off to it.
Thanks for the comment! You should watch: Annie Hall, Manhattan, and Sleeper. After seeing those movies, you’ll understand what I had a hard time putting into words.