By Chris Kavan - 01/17/11 at 01:45 AM CT
When I first heard the new about a Facebook movie coming out, I was skeptical. I became a little more interested when I found out David Fincher was directing, but still, Facebook movie? - Maybe it's just the fact that I hardly use the site, but I still wasn't convinced. Yet I watched it opening weekend, and my fears were dispelled and I have no qualms saying it is was the best film I saw in 2010.
It seems I'm not alone as The Social Network was the big winner at the Golden Globes. It picked up four big awards, best drama, best director, best screenplay and best score (kudos to Trent Reznor - now if only they would let him play "Closer" at the Academy Awards...). And while the Globes and Oscars have deviated in recent years, I have a feeling that this year there's a good chance things will match up.
The only categories that The Social Network couldn't nab were the acting nods. Colin Firth took home the drama award for The King's Speech, while Natalie Portman won in the female drama category for Black Swan. It's no surprise that this week both films are in the top 5 - The King's Speech has risen every week while playing to more theaters - I expect these wins will only bolster their box office returns.
Christian Bale and Melissa Leo took home the supporting actor and actress drama awards for their roles in The Fighter, which should also benefit from the awards season.
On the comedy / musical side, The Kids Are All Right came out the big winner taking the best picture award along with Annette Bening snagging the best actress win. It's always good to see a more indie film get some well-deserved recognition. Compared to so many blockbusters, this film could have easily got lost in the shuffle, but the story and characters caught on with audiences and critics for good reason. Here's hoping that Oscar doesn't overlook this one, either.
Paul Giamatti took home the award for best actor in a comedy / musical for his role in Barney's Version, which is also the film that 80% of the audience hadn't seen. Heck, even I had to look up the detail, but I like Giamatti, so good for him.
In the least surprising win, Toy Story 3 won for best animated film - if you're going to bet on any award, I can guarantee that it will win the same award at the Oscars. While, unsurprisingly, the best song came from the year's only musical "You Haven't Seen The Last of Me" from Burlesque and American is still not rid of Cher despite my best efforts at willing her away with negative thoughts.
I can't say I was surprised by the results, but I wasn't disheartened either. While I still think 2010 was a weaker year for films, there are always bright spots. Whether Oscar and the Globes see eye-to-eye is another matter, but hopefully they won't deny The Social Network its place despite being about an insanely popular website and the people behind it. If they decide to go the traditional route and go with the historic drama - in this case, The King's Speech, I will be disappointed, but stranger things have happened - who can forget the robbery of Saving Private Ryan? I'll just have to wait and see along with everyone else what Hollywood decides.
