After nearly three hours of watching the Golden Globes, one began to wonder if anyone or anything black would win an award. Kerry Washington, nominated for Best Actress in a TV drama for Scandal, lost to Robin Wright for House of Cards. 12 Years a Slave's Lupito Nyong’o lost to Jennifer Lawrence in the Best Supporting Actress category for American Hustle. Gravity’s Alfonso Cuaron beat out 12 Years' Steve McQueen for the Best Director trophy. And both Mandela's Idris Elba and 12 Years' Chiwetel Ejiofor lost their double nominations for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama, which went to Matthew McConoughey for Dallas Buyers Club. While Michael Douglas dodged them both to win the Best Actor in a mini-series or TV movie category for his work as Liberace in Behind the Candleabra. Even Don Cheadle, who was nominated for Best Actor in a Comedy or Musical for House of Lies, was forced to give a golf clap after losing to Andy Samberg in Brooklyn Nine Nine.
Hilarious hosts Tina Fey and Amy Poehler tried to keep the audience distracted with laughs. But by 1045pm, the cast table of 12 Years a Slave, which led all nominees with 7 nods, looked glum. In social networking world, everyone began posting and tweeting about the movie being snubbed.
But the biggest, most powerful award is always saved for last: Best Motion Picture, Drama. And at 10:55pm, right on time and rightfully so, the trophy went to 12 Years a Slave. The riveting unforgettable depiction of a free man’s fight to stay mentally strong after being kidnapped into slavery, moved every single person who saw the film. Even the trailer that played at the Globes brought the room to silence, forcing all to remember the intensity it exudes.
The Golden Globes are seen as a precursor to the Oscars. If this remains true, as we anticipate the Oscar nominations that will be announced this week, 12 Years a Slave is well on its way to winning an Academy Award and further proving that it is indeed the best film of 2013, and possibly one of the greatest of all time.