Golden Globes: 12 Years Prevails, Barely and American Hustle Thrives

12 Years a Slave ended the night of the Golden Globes as a surprise winner; a surprise because it had gone empty-handed all night despite entering the evening as the nomination leader.  Even director Steve McQueen was visibly shocked at the win.  It was a much needed boost for the film’s Oscar prospects as it ended the critics awards season with no major wins from the big groups.

The big winner of the night was American Hustle, winning three awards; Best Picture (Comedy or Musical), Best Actress for Amy Adams (Comedy or Musical) and Best Supporting Actress (Jennifer Lawrence). Adams’ win was seen as crucial as it was against perennial winner Meryl Streep.  Leonardo DiCaprio won Best Actor in a Comedy or Musical for his balls-out performance of Wall Street criminal Jordan Belfort in the Martin Scorsese opus, The Wolf of Wall Street.

The Golden Globe winner ballots were due the same day as Oscar nomination ballots were due and while they won’t reflect an influence on Oscar nominations this Thursday, the wins for Amy Adams and Leonardo DiCaprio could prove crucial if they garner nods by the Academy.

Full list of winners:

Best Picture (Drama): 12 Years a Slave

Best Picture (Comedy or Musical): American Hustle

Best Director: Alfonso Cuarón, Gravity

Best Actor (Drama): Matthew McConaughey, Dallas Buyers Club

Best Actress (Drama): Cate Blanchett, Blue Jasmine

Best Actor (Comedy or Musical): Leonardo DiCaprio, The Wolf of Wall Street

Best Actress (Comedy or Musical): Amy Adams, American Hustle

Best Supporting Actor: Jared Leto, Dallas Buyers Club

Best Supporting Actress: Jennifer Lawrence, American Hustle

Best Screenplay: Her

Best Animated Film: Frozen

Best Foreign Language Film: The Great Beauty (Italy)

Best Original Score: All is Lost

Best Original Song: “Ordinary Love,” Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom