WASHINGTON. Well-deserved tribute and encomium.
LAST MONDAY’S live telecast of the 2015 Golden Globe TV-film awards on the RTL-CBS Entertainment channel got off to a shaky start due to host Ricky Gervais’ overly sour and sarcastic spiels.
In the past, viewers and Gervais’ stellar “targets” “masochistically” enjoyed Gervais’ sadistic and even “cruel” salvos. This time around, there appeared to be a problem with the way his insults were worded—they were scathing as usual, but simply weren’t funny enough.
But, there were other parts of the awards show that hit the spot, and made the occasionally “iffy” show eventually viewable.
Topping the elements that made the awards rites a special viewing treat was the lifetime achievement award given to Denzel Washington, which was made an even bigger honor by the fact that Tom Hanks was tapped to present and deliver the encomium.
Denzel’s awards
We had forgotten some of Washington’s awards and other achievements, but Hanks’ laudatory presentation brought us up to snuff by glowingly highlighting them.
Another “moment” that gave viewers an emotional surge was the victory of “The Revenant” in the best dramatic film category—and the best actor award that its lead star, Leonardo DiCaprio, also won.
Director Alejandro Iñárritu was lavish in his praise for his charismatic star’s readiness to endure months of filming in subzero weather in the inhospitable outdoors, just to come up with a superlative film.
In fact, the way the film’s triumph was showcased, DiCaprio emerged as the entire awards rites’ brightest star. It could even be said that his starrer’s great success was the key moment for DiCaprio to move up to the very top of the US film biz, the “prince” of Hollywood, now effectively crowned as its “king!”
On a more practical level, the dominance of “The Revenant” at the Golden Globes not just enhances its chances at the Oscars next month, but should also add millions to its box-office take when it opens worldwide.
Tainted triumph
Another big success at the Globes was the award that “The Martian” similarly received. However, its triumph was tainted by the fact that some people felt it was competing in the wrong category (comedy and musical). Still, director Ridley Scott accepted the honor, and lead actor Matt Damon won the best actor award in the comedy-musical field, so they should still be congratulated.
The fact that they were placed in the “wrong” category wasn’t their “fault,” so they shouldn’t be rapped for it!
Also a big “surprise” winner was 69-year-old Sylvester Stalone, who won as best supporting actor for “Creed.” He got a standing ovation like DiCaprio and Washington—because, unlike some action stars, he’s come into his own, not just as a box-office draw, but as an “awarded” actor, as well!