Kind of a surprising night, as many of us thought we'd see big wins for No Country for Old Men (Critics' Choice winner, but maybe it was too violent for the Hollywood Foreign Press) or There Will Be Blood (too "American," perhaps).
Other than that, the main story is, there is no main story, with awards sprinkled among a variety of films. In years past, there'd be one or two films that dominated every category. Not this time.
Sweeney Todd got two, including a long overdue Golden Globe for Johnny Depp, his first win after eight noms. Like Sean Penn, who was overlooked this year, Depp does not play to the press. He is reclusive and guarded and doesn't ham it up over fancy lunches with the HFPA members. Everybody knows the 80 or so voting members of the Foreign Press love to be wined and dined, and Depp just doesn't play the game.
Sweeney won, as did No Country for Old Men's Javier Bardem (the one true lock of the evening). And the Coen bros for Best Screenplay, with Julian Schnabel rightfully winning for directing The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. Daniel Day-Lewis took home the Best Actor, Drama Globe for There Will Be Blood, which is just a setup for the Oscars, where I'm guaranteeing he will win the Academy Award.
Juno, despite great word of mouth and multiple nominations, went home empty-handed. I thought for sure Ellen Page was going to win and Diablo Cody would be recognized for the script. That said, I still believe both will be nominated for Oscars. Also sad about my homegirl Nikki Blonsky losing. Don't worry, li'l Tracy, you're still number one with me!
So, a great year of film is honored with an average distribution of awards at a boring press conference. Hopefully, next year life in Hollywood will be back to normal, and I'll be at the Beverly Hilton in a penguin suit and hitting on actresses at after-parties. That's how the Globes should be celebrated.