The Social Network earned top honors at the Golden Globe Awards in California Sunday night. The film earned four awards, including best drama. The honors, from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, mark the start of the movie award season leading up to next month’s Oscars.
The Social Network traces the rise of a multi-billion dollar idea, as Harvard University student Mark Zuckerberg, played by Jesse Eisenberg, sits at his computer in a dormitory.
"I think I’ve come up with something."
"That looks really good."
"People want to go on the Internet and check out their friends. That’s what the Facebook is going to be about."
The film was also honored for its direction, script and original score.
Natalie Portman was named best dramatic actress for her role as a ballerina who descends into madness in the psychological thriller Black Swan.
Colin Firth was named best dramatic actor for his role as Britain’s King George VI in the film The King’s Speech. The movie is based on a real-life story of a king who got help from a speech therapist on his elevation to the throne.
"I’m not here to discuss personal matters."
"Why are you here, then?"
"Because I bloody-well stammer."
"You have a bit of a temper."
"One of my many faults"
Firth was nominated last year for both a Golden Globe and Oscar for his starring role in the film A Single Man. He lost, but thanked the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for their choice this year.
"Getting through the mid-stage of your life with your dignity and judgment intact can be somewhat precarious, and sometimes all you need is a bit of gentle reassurance to keep you on track," Firth said.
Acting awards in the musical and comedy categories went to Annette Bening for her role as a lesbian mother in The Kids Are All Right and Paul Giamatti for the film Barney’s Version, based on a novel by Mordecai Richler. Giamatti beat out Johnny Depp, who had been nominated for two films, The Tourist and Alice in Wonderland.
Christian Bale was named best supporting dramatic actor for the boxing film The Fighter. Melissa Leo, who plays Bale’s mother in the movie, was also honored for her supporting role. She took time to address her own mother as she accepted the award.
"Thank you so much, here in Southern California, the home of my mother, her mother, her mother before her. Look mom, I got a Golden Globe!" exclaimed a joyful Leo.
The Golden Globes also acknowledge television shows. The series Boardwalk Empire was named this year’s top TV drama, while the high school series Glee was named best comedy or musical series. Al Pacino and Claire Danes were both honored for acting awards in television movies.
The Cecil B DeMille award for lifetime achievement in film roles, went to Robert DeNiro.
The Hollywood award season will culminate with the Oscars, or Academy Awards, on February 27. The Oscars are considered the top honors in the American movie industry.
