A Golden Globe to Remember

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Art credits to Hannah Usadi!

Ahmed Sheikh ‘18

Once every year, a group of talented actors and actresses wearing designer suits and dresses congregate in Hollywood to honor the works of their fellow celebrities at the Golden Globe Awards.  Hosted by Jimmy Fallon, this year’s Golden Globe Awards marks its seventy-fourth anniversary. The special occasion honors noteworthy films and television shows as well as the individuals who made these productions possible.  Most of all, the night was filled with cheer, gratitude, and one very captivating speech.

Throughout the night, famous celebrities had the privilege of announcing the nominees and winners for the awards.  Among these awards were Best Actor in a Motion Picture Drama, given to Casey Affleck for his role in Manchester by the Sea, and Best Supporting Actress, given to Viola Davis for her role in Fences. Best Animated Film was given to Zootopia and Best Television Drama was given to The Crown.

Amazingly, of the many awards appointed, La La Land, starring Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone (both individuals won for Best Actor/Actress in a Motion Picture Musical/Comedy), won all seven of the awards it was nominated for, making it one of most successful movies in Golden Globe history.

Vamsi Talasila ‘18 states, “I watched La La Land and absolutely loved it.  It was a great movie with great acting.”

Also awarded was The People V. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story for Best Television Miniseries, Hugh Laurie (Best Supporting Actor in a Television Series) and Tom Hiddleston (Best Actor in a Television Series) for their roles in The Night Manager, as well as Atlanta which won for the Best Television Musical/Comedy.

Among the awards given during the Golden Globe Awards, the Cecil B. DeMille is one of the most coveted.  The award honors one recipient every year, male or female, for their impactful role in the entertainment industry.  This year, the award was given to Meryl Streep, who has won eight Golden Globe Awards and has thirty nominations for roles in various films.  Despite her extraordinary win, the speech that followed sparked both positive and negative outcry.

In her speech, Streep opened by discussing the importance of diversity not just throughout the world, but in Hollywood as well.  She noted that Hollywood would not exist without its diverse mix of actors and actresses who utilize their talents to produce entertainment for all.  Streep also discussed her disgust towards President Trump’s inappropriate mocking of disabled reporter, Serge Kovaleski.  She emphasized the integral role of journalists in the lives of celebrities and insisted that no person should be mocked or discriminated against.  As she concluded her speech and walked off stage, Streep was given a standing ovation and had some left in tears.

Deeply angered by her speech, Donald Trump tweeted, “Meryl Streep, one of the most overrated actresses in Hollywood, doesn’t know me but attacked last night at the Golden Globes”.

Andre Kobin ‘18 also believes that Streep’s remarks were not well-timed, opining that “I do not believe that Streep’s speech was necessary for this particular event.  She could have saved it for another time.  However, all of her points were valid.”

On the bright side, Streep received lots of positive tweets in support of her captivating speech from both ordinary people and other celebrities.

After a successful night celebrating the accomplishments and efforts of talented actors and actresses, thousands of viewers, movie critics, and television enthusiasts will have to wait until next year to see what is in store for the seventy-fifth Golden Globe Awards.