Class acts at the Golden Globes

The satellite telecast of the 69th Golden Globe awards on Star World last January 16 was an inspiring experience for us, because it enabled us to renew our acquaintance with some of the most impressive talents and icons in the entertainment biz.

First, there was Brad Pitt. Not only was he nominated for best actor for his performance in “Money Ball,” but fellow nominee George Clooney reminded everyone that Pitt’s many advocacies have made a big difference in the lives of their beneficiaries all over the world.

There was a time when Pitt was admired principally for his hot looks, but he’s certainly gone way beyond that as actor-producer-philanthropist. He’s inspired many celebrities to similarly think of others and to use their popularity, and all the resources that go with it, to make the world a (much) better place.

That key lesson was highlighted even more by the presence of Pitt’s similarly enlightened and selfless partner, Angelina Jolie, who has been acclaimed for her own exceptional portrayals and advocacies.

Best of all worlds

When she did her stint as presenter, she looked luminously beautiful and glamorous. As she and Pitt stood together on the red carpet, they looked like they were savoring the best of all worlds—and, indeed they were. But, the key point was, they were giving so much of it back to strangers who needed it more.

Another celebrity who impressed us at the Globes show was director Martin Scorsese who, in his “old” age, continues to make astounding films. He moved us most strongly when he received his best director award for his latest film, “Hugo”—and said that he was persuaded by his young daughter to make it, so that she could finally watch one of his movies. (Most of the time, he makes uncompromising films that plumb the depths of the human condition—and get a For Adults Only rating.)

Then, there was Meryl Streep, who romped off with the trophy for best dramatic actress for her spot-on portrayal of Margaret Thatcher. She had viewers in stitches when she candidly confessed that she had forgotten her reading glasses, so she would have to stumble and fumble through her acceptance speech. She did even better than if she had read it!

Errant glasses

Also really fun—and funny—was the “interactive” nature of the subsequent proceedings, during which the errant glasses were found and transported from hand to hand to the stage—but she decided not to use them, after all!

It was similarly a memorable experience to see the evening’s other best actor awardee, Jean Dujardin, being honored for his great performance in the best film winner, “The Artist,” an appropriately voiceless tribute to silent films.

The French production has become an unexpected hit, despite its lack of sound and color. It was most encouraging to see that such a risky project could emerge a big winner—and we hope that its unexpected success will motivate other filmmakers to be similarly daring and regale us with their most “dangerous” cinematic conceits.

Incidentally, Dujardin joined other “imported” stars like Antonio Banderas and Sofia Vergara in making the Globes a truly international celebration—an appropriate point of departure, since the awards are handed out by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.

Beyond great looks

Finally, we were delighted when George Clooney romped off with the trophy for best dramatic actor for his lead portrayal in “The Descendants,” which also won the award for best dramatic film. Like Pitt, he’s gone way beyond his great looks and stardom and has used his celebrity to make a big difference in the world.

Come to think of it, so has another best actor nominee, Leonardo DiCaprio, who was cited for his portrayal of J. Edgar Hoover in the former FBI head’s controversial film bio. DiCaprio’s advocacy related to the environment and global warming deserves a special award all its own.

Pitt, Clooney and DiCaprio—three great actors and humanitarians who made the 69th Golden Globe awards a memorable reunion and celebration of the film world’s top, true-blue and 24-carat class acts!