Sometimes fact can be more fascinating than fiction. That all-too-important revelation wasn’t lost on Hollywood throughout 2018, as some of the most intriguing, tantalizing and memorable movies and television shows were biopics and series that were based on true events. Those stories were honored last night at the 2019 Golden Globe Awards, whose ceremony was broadcast live from The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California on NBC, and was hosted by Sandra Oh and Andy Samberg. (Oh also won for Best Actress – Television Series Drama for her title role in the first season of ‘Killing Eve.’)
Director Peter Farrelly’s biopic, ‘Green Book,’ was one of the most celebrated films during the 76th Golden Globe Awards. Set in the Deep South in the 1960s, the story follows African-American classical and jazz pianist, Don Shirley (Mahershala Ali), as he embarks on a tour throughout America. Tony Vallelonga (Viggo Mortensen), an Italian-American bouncer, served as Shirley’s driver and bodyguard. The movie was honored with one of the highest awards of the night: Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.
Ali initially gained widespread notoriety when he won the Best Supporting Actor Academy Award for his role in the 2016 drama, ‘Moonlight.’ He received his first Golden Globe last night, in the Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in any Motion Picture category, for his portrayal of Shirley in ‘Green Book.’
‘Green Book’ was also awarded with the Best Screenplay – Motion Picture trophy for its screenwriters, Nick Vallelonga, Brian Currie and Farrelly. Vallelonga gave an emotional acceptance speech, during which he thanked Nick, his father, for serving as inspiration for the script. The screenplay is based on interviews with the elder Vallelonga and Shirley, as well as letters Nick wrote to his wife, Nick’s mother.
The musical biopic, ‘Bohemian Rhapsody,’ was another one of the most celebrated movies during the 2019 Golden Globes ceremony. Rami Malek was honored with the Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama award, for his portrayal of Queen’s lead singer, Freddie Mercury. The actor, who’s also best known for his Emmy Award-winning role of as Elliot Alderson on the USA thriller series, ‘Mr. Robot,’ was the front-runner for the Golden Globe Best Actor – Drama film award before his name was called last night.
During his acceptance speech for the biopic, Malek not only payed tribute to the late singer, but also thanked the rest of Queen’s bandmembers, who were sitting with him at the movie’s table throughout the ceremony. ”Bohemian Rhapsody’ was also celebrated with the top Golden Globe Award of the night: Best Motion Picture – Drama.
Christian Bale gave an equally heartfelt, emotional and comical speech after his name was called for winning the Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. The performer won his second Golden Globe Award last night, after he was first honored in 2011 for his role as Dick “Dicky” Eklund in the biographical sports drama, ‘The Fighter.’ Bale was honored with his first Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy Golden Globe Award of his career for his portrayal of former American Vice President, Dick Cheney, in ‘Vice.’
The biopic was written and directed by Adam McKay. the actor and the filmmaker previously worked together on the 2015 biographical comedy-drama, ‘The Big Short,’ for which Bale was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy in 2016.
Biopics further reigned supreme at the 76th Golden Globe Awards, as English actress Olivia Colman was named as giving the Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. She was recognized for her portrayal of Anne, Queen of Great Britain in ‘The Favourite,’ which was directed by Academy Award-nominated filmmaker, Yorgos Lanthimos. This marks the second Golden Globe win for Colman, who was previously recognized as Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film in 2017 for her role in ‘The Night Manager.’ During her acceptance speech for ‘The Favourite,’ the actress humorously and emotionally thanked her two main co-stars, Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz.
During the television portion of the ceremony, FX’s acclaimed true crime anthology series, ‘American Crime Story,’ tied with Netflix’s comedy series, ‘The Kominsky Method,’ to win the most trophies; both shows were recognized with two awards. The second season of ‘American Crime Story,’ which was subtitled ‘The Assassination of Gianni Versace,’ was named Best Television Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television.
‘Glee’ alum Darren Criss, who played spree killer Andrew Cunanan, was also recognized as giving the Best Performance by an Actor in a Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television. His win comes after he was also honored with the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Emmy Award last September.
