A few nights ago, the 72nd Golden Globe Awards kicked off award season. I could go into a tirade like Ricky Gervais by making snarky comments about the beautiful, entitled ultra-wealthy people in Hollywood and television, but I won’t. I could even write an a la Fashion Police commentary onthe spectacular sartorial selections made by those in attendance (George Clooney and Amal, I’m looking at you), but I won’t do that either.
Instead, I’ll say this: what stood out this year was the messaging from the president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, presenters and winners alike that maybe, just maybe, we are becoming a more aware, inclusive and tolerant society. Social commentary ran the gamut from mentions of the defense of free speech, the plight of single mothers (Patricia Arquette from “Boyhood”), Tambor’s dedication of his award to the transgender community, John Legend’s “Selma” continued solidarity with those who are fighting for justice, and Joanna Froggat’s (“Downton Abbey”) poignant words: “I’d like to say, I heard you and I hope saying this so publicly in some way means you feel the world hears you,” as she recounted a letter she received from a rape victim. Speeches throughout the night were no longer about the winners; they were about the very real characters they represented. It was moving, it was powerful, and it was inspiring.
All of this broadcasted something bigger than Giuliana Rancic’s enormous diamond ring and Gwyneth Paltrow’s divorce. There was something so powerful about the Golden Globes this year that will hopefully inform and shape how we as a country and world move forward.
-Logan Breslow
