Silent era returns as The Artist scoops Golden Globes
On a good night for British talent at the 2012 Golden Globes in Los Angeles, top honours go to a French film which is mostly silent and filmed in black and white.
The Artist was the big winner of the night, taking gongs including best musical or comedy and best actor in a musical or comedy for Jean Dujardin.
The film is about the fate of a Hollywood silent movie actor following the arrival of talking pictures and is also tipped for Oscar glory.
Titanic star Kate Winslet and London-born actor Idris Elba – who missed out on an Emmy in 2011 – also bagged gongs on a night that saw Ricky Gervais host the prestigious ceremony for a third consecutive year.
Berkshire-born Winslet took best actress in a mini series for her performance in HBO’s Mildred Pierce, while Elba triumphed in the male version of the category, scooping best actor for his role in BBC One’s crime drama Luther.
Ricky Gervais had ruffled feathers at past shows with controversial gibes aimed at Hollywood’s elite, but he seemed to tone down his close-to-the-knuckle jokes for the 69th annual Globes ceremony.
The Globes are to the Oscars what Kim Kardashian is to Kate Middleton. Host Ricky Gervais
In his opening gambit, the funnyman said organisers had warned him that were he to insult anyone on hand, or “offend any viewers, or cause any controversy whatsoever – they will definitely invite me back next year as well.”
During the ceremony, Gervais joked that the Globes “are just like the Oscars, but without all that esteem. The Globes are to the Oscars what Kim Kardashian is to Kate Middleton. A bit louder, a bit trashier, a bit drunker and more easily bought. Allegedly. Nothing’s been proved.”
Hollywood veteran Meryl Streep also won another addition to her trophy cabinet, bagging best dramatic actress award for her portrayal of former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady.