As the Globes Turn

Last night the Golden Globes went on, but as a press conference, not the usually free-flowing celebrity party. So this morning congratulations are in order, but not aspirin. Atonement, which came in with seven nominations, shone with two awards: Best Picture (Drama) and Best Score. Elsewhere the prizes were evenly distributed between Sweeney Todd (Best Picture [Musical or Comedy], Best Actor [Musical or Comedy]), No Country For Old Men (Best Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor), and The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (Best Foreign Language and Best Director). A complete list can be found at the Golden Globes site. Unfortunately the real losers last night were not any of the nominees, but the galaxy of limo drivers, cater waiters, fashion tailors, dry cleaners, hair stylists, all those whose financial health depends upon these shows. Both the New York Times looks at the loss of schwag and The Guardian considers the economic losses. On the other hand, a 30-minute awards show sounded like heaven to a lot of industry people.