Los Angeles: White took the cake at the Golden Globes this year as Hollywood beauties descended on the red carpet in pale shades for the first awards gala of this season. With partner Brad Pitt by her side, Angelina Jolie led the way in her stunning white satin Versace gown with a hint of red.
The actress’ directorial debut In the Land of Blood and Honey was nominated in the Best Foreign Language film category. Charlize Theron continued the white streak with her dramatic Dior couture gown, which had a plunging neckline, a thigh high split, a flowing train and an oversized bow detail around her waist.
Jolie and Theron were not the only ones in white – actresses Kate Beckinsale, Nicole Kidman and Kate Winslet were among those showing off the trend.
Kidman opted for an off-white oyster coloured gown with golden studded detail by Versace, which complemented her hair colour and she stepped out with husband Keith Urban. Underworld star Beckinsale also wore a white strapless Roberto Cavalli gown with delicate sequin embellishment and chiffon pleat detail around her skirt.
Winslet, who took home the Best Actress in a Mini-series trophy for ‘Mildred Pierce, turned out in a black and white Jenny Packham gown. Others who carried on with the white trend were Jessica Chastain, Jessica Biel and Amanda Peet. Chastain chose figure-hugging Givenchy, Biel donned Elie Saab but wasn’t wearing an engagement ring and Peet stepped out in a tiered asymmetrical gown by Marc Jacobs. Supermodel Heidi Klum opted for a pale backless gown which she accessorised with bright blue jewellery.
Iranian film A Separation was named best foreign language film, and its director, Ashgar Farhadi, used the opportunity to tell world audiences that “my people. I think they are a truly peace-loving people.”
The Golden Globe Awards are given out by the roughly 90 members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association at what annually is among the key events during Hollywood’s awards season because of the media exposure it brings.
Many of the movies and stars that win here also go on to compete for Oscars later this year, and The Artist, which was the most-nominated film coming into the Golden Globes with six nods overall, will certainly become a frontrunner for the world’s top film honors, as will Descendants and The Help.
Oscar nominations from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will given out on January 24. Unlike the Oscar voters, HFPA members also vote on their favorite TV shows and performances and in that arena Homeland, about a modern-day CIA agent tracking returning war soldiers who may be terrorists, took home two Golden Globes for best drama series and best actress in a drama for Claire Danes.
Best actor in a drama TV series went to Kelsey Grammer for his role as a stern corporate manager in Boss.
Modern Family, a take on extended families in current-day America, took the prize for best comedy and its stars enjoyed one of the more memorable moments of the night when star Sofia Vergara gave their acceptance speech in Spanish, with English translation from creator Steve Levitan.
Best actress in a TV comedy went to Laura Dern for Enlightened and the comedic actor trophy was won by Matt LeBlanc for Episodes.
Coming into the show, all eyes were on host Gervais, who ruffled the feathers of many a Hollywood celebrities last year at the Golden Globes. While he didn’t tone down his jokes for the 2012 audience — making fun of Johnny Depp, Jodie Foster, Kim Kardashian and the HFPA itself — it seemed the stars were in the mood for his biting wit this time around. “I thought he did a great job,” Clooney told reporters backstage. “I think he handled tonight like a proper good host again … people were expecting a lot of trash talk, and he did a little bit of that, and he made me laugh, he was very funny.” (PTI)