BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — The first Golden Globe of the night went to Cate Blanchett for her supporting role in “I’m Not There” — and that pretty much said it all about the awards ceremony Sunday that was wiped out by the Hollywood writers strike.
Because Blanchett wasn’t there. Neither was anyone present to accept the best drama award for “Atonement,” the final award of the 31-minute, news conference- style fiasco that raced through 25 winners so fast, it was as if the Hollywood Foreign Press Association just wanted to get it over with.
No red carpet, no tipsy stars and no big winners. “Atonement” led the field with seven nominations but won twice, tying with three other films for the most honors.
But atonement was also on the minds of awards presenters who hope feuding producers and writers mend fences so Hollywood can get back to business. After announcing the tragic period romance as best drama winner, the chief overseer of the Globes made a bold promise.
“Rest assured that next year, the Golden Globe awards will be back bigger and better than ever,” said HFPA president Jorge Camara.
Besides “Atonement,” the three other films that won two awards were the crime saga “No Country for Old Men,” the bloody musical “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” and the personal memoir “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly.”
“Thank you to the Hollywood Foreign Press,” “Old Men” co-star Javier Bardem said in a statement after he was named best supporting actor for his role as a merciless killer.
The film also won the screenplay honor for writer-directors Ethan and Joel Coen.
“Sweeney Todd” was picked as best musical or comedy and earned Johnny Depp the Globe for best actor in the musical-comedy category.
“Diving Bell” was named best foreign-language film and received the directing honor for Julian Schnabel.
Among other winners: Daniel Day-Lewis, best dramatic actor for the historical epic “There Will Be Blood”; Marion Cotillard, best musical or comedy actress for the Edith Piaf saga “La Vie En Rose”; and Julie Christie, best dramatic actress for the Alzheimer’s drama “Away From Her.” The rodent tale “Ratatouille” — directed by Brad Bird, who made Academy Award-winner “The Incredibles” — was named best animated film.
Among TV recipients, Jeremy Piven won for his supporting role as an acerbic agent in HBO’s “Entourage,” his first win after three previous nominations.
Samantha Morton won supporting actress for HBO’s “Longford.”
Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder won the prize for best original song in a movie for “Guaranteed,” featured in director Sean Penn’s road drama “Into the Wild.”
On strike since Nov. 5, the Writers Guild refused to let union members work on the Globes. Although the guild called off pickets it had planned outside the news conference, the strike left one of Hollywood’s brightest and giddiest nights in shambles.
“It was short and sweet, wasn’t it?” said Glenn Close, who won best TV drama actress for “Damages.”
