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Interviews and statements from Golden Globe nominees about their awards noms:
Michael Douglas, Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps: “To be selected with these extraordinary nominees is an honor and boy was I ready for some good news!”
Paul Giamatti, Barney’s Version: “Thank you to everyone at The HFPA. It’s a great thrill to be honored for this performance. I believe Richard made a lovely movie, and I am really happy for the film to be recognized. I share this with Rosamund, Dustin and all the cast and crew, who were a joy to work with.”
Nicole Kidman, Rabbit Hole: “It took more than four years to get our little movie off the ground, and to be recognized for my work in a film that means so much to me is truly such an honor. Thank you to the Hollywood Foreign Press for your continued support.”
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Ryan Gosling, Blue Valentine: “I am very grateful to the HFPA. I also would like to thank them for acknowledging Michelle Williams for her incredible performance. Without the 12 years of director Derek Cianfrance’s unwavering vision and commitment none of this would have been possible. I share this nomination with both of them.”
Darren Aronofsky, Black Swan: “I am very thankful to the HFPA for this honor. The prestige of the nominations draws attention to independent films like Black Swan and I think helps get these small films made. I am also so thrilled for my actors Natalie and Mila who gave me their spirits to film and risked losing toe nails every day.”
Inception producer Emma Thomas called husband and filmmaking partner Christopher Nolan in India to deliver the news their movie had nabbed four Golden Globe nominations, a jump up from Nolan’s last movie, The Dark Knight, which only garnered one nomination in the acting category. “The really great thing about this movie is that it was a very personal film for him and a labor of love that he’s lived with for a long, long time,” said Thomas. “It’s the end of a really long road for him.” The announcement caught Nolan, in India and in the midst of a worldwide scout for the next Batman movie, by surprise. “He’s trying to figure what our next two years are going to be,” she said. “He had forgotten what was going on in L.A.” Thomas will be heading to England for the holidays where Nolan will join her for a celebration. — Bory Kit
Annette Bening, The Kids Are All Right: “Seeing our movie getting so much recognition makes me proud. And being nominated alongside Julianne Moore is the best!”
Amy Adams, The Fighter: “What an exciting morning for our film, especially when you consider what a terrific year it was for movies. Thank you Hollywood Foreign Press Association for this honor and also for recognizing Mark [Wahlberg], Melissa [Leo], Christian [Bale] and David’s [O. Russell] great work. I am deeply proud of the film and to be honored for it is icing on the cake.”
“My morning is extra fantastic!” exclaims Halle Berry, fresh off her best actress nomination for Frankie and Alice, the indie drama that she also produced. “A month ago this movie was on the shelf and I wasn’t so sure it was going to se the light of day,” she says. “Now this good news has come and it means we have a greater chance of opening wide in the new year.” The movie was a passion project for Berry and took a 10 year journey to the screen. “Recognition like this plucks it out of the melee of movies that is out there and makes people take notice. And I happen to think there’s still a place for movies like this. Everything can’t be about animation and blows up. There needs to be a place that talks about life in a real way.” While Berry is on mommy duty for the rest of the day, she’ll be celebrating later with friends to the SLS Hotel’s Bazaar bar, where they will enjoy the “Jale Berry,” a pomegranate martini with jalapenos. — Borys Kit
“I’m very happy,” Alejandro González Iñárritu‘s tells THR of his Golden Globes nomination for best foreign film for Biutiful: “The film shakes some emotional muscles that haven’t been moving for a long time. The complexity of the character couldn’t have been done by anyone else but Javier [Bardem]. A monumental job. He gives himself physically, emotionally, spiritually. The Globes help films to be on the radar of the people, so people go watch movies in other circumstances they would never hear of when there are no studios’ deep pockets behind it. Beyond that, it’s the best party. You can get drunk, and it’s very easy, and a light party. That’s important. If you’re gonna celebrate, you want to be relaxed, not be tight and boring. “ — Tim Appelo
Michelle Williams, Blue Valentine: “This nomination is an honor and I am thrilled to share it with my friend, my co-conspirator, and my favorite dance partner, Ryan Gosling. Thank you so much to The Hollywood Foreign Press, The Weinstein Company and of course to the inestimable Derek Cianfrance, whose vision led and sustained us all.”
Not everyone in the Mark Wahlberg‘s household was thrilled about the 5:50 a.m. phone call from Ari Emanuel congratulating Mark on his Golden Globe nomination for The Fighter. “My 11-month old [Grace Margaret] had just gotten back to sleep at about 3 a.m., so we’re a bit tired and I’ve been under the weather, but I couldn’t go back to sleep if I tried.” Nonetheless, the importance of the HFPA’s recognition is not lost on him: “It means the world, because the movie was so hard to get made and we shot it in only 33 days.” In addition to the film’s six nominations – including best picture and drama, Wahlberg’s HBO series Boardwalk Empire earned three nominations. “I am working all day today, so I hope to celebrate and relax during the holidays.” — Leslie Bruce
Writer/director Lisa Cholodenko, The Kids Are All Right: I’m so grateful that the Hollywood Foreign Press has recognized The Kids Are All Right with 4 Golden Globe nominations, including Best Picture and for both Julianne Moore and Annette Bening’s phenomenal performances. I’m also thrilled to be able to share a screenwriting nomination with Stuart Blumberg, after years of writing — and rewriting! — this movie together.
Julia Stiles, Dexter: “It’s bizarre receiving the news in such a remote place where internet access is difficult and phones are impossible, but I’m glad I checked my email! I’m beyond thrilled! It was an honor to be part of the show, and to have my work recognized by the HFPA. I am so grateful!”
Jesse Eisenberg, The Social Network: “It was an honor to be part of this wonderful movie and we’re so glad it was acknowledged by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.”
Black Swan producer Scott Franklin didn’t have to look far for friendly faces to celebrate his film’s Best Picture nomination with. “I’m actually shooting a YSL commercial in Paris with Darren [Arronofsky] and Vincent [Cassel] right now, so we’re all very excited,” says the producer. So excited, in fact, Franklin didn’t even remember who told him the news. “I think like five people told me at the same time.” Up next he’s prepping to shoot The Wolverine with Aronofsky and Hugh Jackman next year. “And of course getting the word out there for Black Swan.” — Lauren Schutte
“We are pumped!” says Tangled co-director Nathan Greno.
Matthew Morrison, Glee: Morrison noted that his second nomination for playing New Directions’ optimistic teacher Will Schuester meant more to him now that Glee isn’t the “hot new show and new kid on the block.” “Being nominated for the second year means people are acknowledging the continuation of quality work and development on the show,” Morrison said as he arrived on the set of the Fox sophomore show. “It’s more special than it was last year, if that’s possible.” As for the musical series plum post-Super Bowl slot, Morrison noted that he’s excited to expose the show to a different audience. “People call it a very gay show or a show that a football audience wouldn’t tend to go for; following the Super Bowl is going to be a stretch for us — in the best possible way,” he said, noting that he will not be singing in the episode. “I’m excited to show a different audience who we are and what Glee is made of. I think it’s a show for everyone.” — Lesley Goldberg
Andrew Garfield, The Social Network: “I’m very touched to have been nominated by the HFPA this morning and am thrilled that The Social Network has been recognized, as well as David, Aaron, Jesse and Trent. The process of Making this movie was an incredibly creative and joyous experience and to see the film honored in this way is truly a thrill and is something for which I’m very grateful.”
“It’s always too early to say ‘Bazinga!’ no matter what time of day it is,” reigning Emmy winner Jim Parsons said of his first Golden Globe comedy actor nomination for CBS’ The Big Bang Theory. For the humble Parsons, however, Tuesday’s highlight wasn’t his personal nom but the comedy’s first series nomination instead. “I’m really floored, and we all get to sit at that table together now ‹ I won’t be sitting next to a stranger!” he enthused. “We’re in our fourth season, so to have this happen now is all the more exciting because [the show’s success] wasn’t immediate.” Parsons also credited the ratings juggernaut’s move to Thursday night as a key factor in the recognition from the HFPA, noting that “it’s amazing what those eyeballs really represent. Every time we’ve moved, it’s always worked out. The most important thing [the move to Thursdays] has done is expose eyeballs to it. I think that has to be a part of it.” — Lesley Goldberg
How will Breaking Bad’s Bryan Cranston celebrate his second Golden Globe nomination? “You’ll see this Golden Globe nominee picking up dog poop in about twenty minutes,” Cranston joked. Although he has bagged three Emmy wins for his portrayal of chemistry teacher-turned-drug dealer Walter White, this is his first Golden Globe nom for the character: “It’s nice to know that the foreign press is keeping an eye out for offbeat work.” Cranston has been a staple on the awards circuit since his turn as Hal on Fox’s Malcolm in the Middle, but says these nomination mornings have yet to become old hat. “If it ever does become like that, I think my wife would tell me to retire.” — Leslie Bruce
Carrie Underwood, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader: “I am absolutely thrilled by this wonderful honor today. It was such an exciting endeavor to have been asked to create music for the film. I grew up with the books and have been a fan of the earlier two movies. I can’t wait for the Golden Globes!”
The Fighter producer Ryan Kavanaugh was up early at home in L.A. watching the nominations as director David O. Russell and all four major actors — Melissa Leo, Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale and Amy Adams — got the nod from the HFPA. “They’re the best actors of our time, they delivered an A game,” he says. “David O. Russell stepped up and really did deliver the impossible task where we told him, ‘Here’s your budget, you’ve got 33 days, go do it.’ And then the movie comes out in the way that it did. It’s just incredible. Particularly among such a talented and competitive group of other films.” It’s the first film Kavanaugh has produced to score a Globe nom (he financed the film through his Relativity Media, and he is also executive producer on The Fighter’s best picture competition The Social Network), and he had already spread the love by phone with all the nominated talent. “The Fighter has been a long road, it’s a very personal project,” he says. “It feels great kind of being the architect and stepping back and having all these other people get what they deserve. It’s one of the most overwhelming mornings.” — Jay Fernandez
Kevin Spacey was proud to be associated with not one but two nominated films come Globes’ time: The Social Network, on which he’s an executive producer, and Casino Jack, his first leading role “in some time.” The multihyphenate said he was “proud and moved” about his sixth Golden Globe nomination for his performance as lobbyist Jack Abramoff and noted that he’s “really broken up and sad” that late director George Hickenlooper wasn’t around to enjoy it. “I know nothing would make him happier than nomination and getting people to go out and see it,” Spacey noted from London, where he was in town for A Flea in Her Ear’s opening night at the Old Vic. As for having his hand in two awards season contenders, Spacey attributed that to his newfound delegating skills that have “allowed me to find a way to balance my full-time theater life and my film world.” — Lesley Goldberg
Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock: “30 Rock is back, bigger and better than ever! We are very grateful to the Hollywood Foreign Press.”
Despite the 2 a.m. phone call from Sydney, where he is performing on stage in The Diary of a Madman, a very tired-sounding Geoffrey Rush summoned some hometown pride. “I have been down this path before, but this specific experience is so exquisite because I’m now riding shotgun with Jacki Weaver, who’s been nominated for best supporting actress for Animal Kingdom, and Nicole Kidman’s in there as well — so it’s a big Aussie year,” he says. Rush’s nomination for best supporting actor in a motion picture is his fifth Globe nod — he won best actor in 1996 for Shine and best actor in a TV movie in 2004 for The Life and Death of Peter Sellers. The play locale meant that Rush could catch the premiere of The King’s Speech in Sydney the night before, though director Tom Hooper, who fielded another of the film’s leading seven nominations, was stuck in Melbourne. “We seem to be in the company of films that have very special vibrant contemporary themes,” Rush says of the Globe nominations. “There are themes of communication and leadership and friendship in all its messy glory out there, and they seem to be smart movies that the HFPA have chosen to acknowledge.” Any champagne-popping will have to wait, however. “My celebration will be hitting my bed as soon as I can,” Rush says, “because I suddenly was told today that I’ve got an 11 a.m. matinee.”
Chris Colfer couldn’t have been more excited to pick up his first Golden Globe nom for supporting actor for his performance as out teen Kurt Hummel on Fox’s sophomore hit Glee. The actor said the dramedy’s success was “like the Soviet Union: it’s getting bigger and bigger and I think it has a lot to do with the music ‹ it unites everyone.” Colfer said he planned to “blackmail” some of his cast members to celebrate the show’s TV-leading five nominations over lunch. “Everyone is over the moon,” he noted. As for Glee‘s upcoming Super Bowl episode and Friday’s recent production delay, Colfer doubted the legitimacy of reports of a tonsillitis outbreak on the set. “The tonsillitis thing was a little stretch; I’m not sure how much of that was true,” he said. “I thought we were shutting down because of fog with the night shoots.” Looking ahead, Colfer would only tease that as of Episode 12, there was no development with his on-screen relationship with new “Glee” star Darren Criss’ Blaine. “I’m sure there’s hope,” he offered. — Lesley Goldberg
Mila Kunis, who plays Natalie Portman’s doppelganger in Black Swan, says she is “baffled” by her Golden Globe nomination for supporting actress and says that Portman is “perfection.” Kunis said she was “happily asleep” this morning when the nominations were announced. “The phone wouldn’t stop ringing so I finally picked up,” she said. “When you’re half-asleep and the phone rings and it’s pitch black outside you think the worst. I automatically assumed somebody got hurt.” She added that the Darren Aronofsky-directed ballet picture was “by far the most demanding part I’ve ever had physically.” She took a crash-course in ballet; training for seven straight days, five hours a day. “I went on a strict diet; I lost 20 pounds. It was like ballet on speed.” She went on: “The fact that [Black Swan] is being recognized in this capacity, is something I don’t think anyone ever expected. I couldn’t be happier that Natalie’s being recognized and the movie as a whole. Natalie is perfection in the film. I think she would win. She definitely deserves it.” — Marisa Guthrie
Helena Bonham Carter received her sixth nomination (no wins so far) for her work in The King’s Speech and she is most happy that the showering of attention will focus attention on the film. “These awards make a big difference to the small independent films and gets them an audience that normally wouldn’t see them,” she said from her home in London. She’s especially troubled by the fact the movie is rated R in America, mostly due to the scene where Colin Firth utters the F-word over a dozen times (she has the audio from the scene has her ringtone). “Half of meaning is context, not the actual words and the context is all about healing and about getting your anger out. If anything it’s funny. [Giving it an R] seems to be a shallow appraisal of it.” Carter’s partner, Tim Burton, saw his movie Alice in Wonderland field several nominations, though none for Burton. “I find that slightly curious. The person responsible for the film, fundamentally, is the director, so that’s a shame. But you don’t put all your psychic demons in the hands of the foreign press. [These awards] are not the end-all and be-all of your self worth.” — Borys Kit
Natalie Portman, Black Swan: “I’m very honored by the HFPA nomination, and to be included in this group of actresses I so admire. The experience of filming Black Swan with Darren Aronofsky and our incredible crew is already the most fulfilling experience of my career. The audience appreciation of the film is only furthering how grateful and proud I am to be part of the film.”
Claire Danes, Temple Grandin: “I am honored to be recognized by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. Temple Grandin is an extraordinary, revolutionary and inspiring woman. I feel deeply privileged to have been chosen to tell her story.”
Anne Hathaway, Love and Other Drugs: “When the phone rang this morning it was my mom telling me I was nominated – I was thrilled! Well, loopy and thrilled. I’ve been travelling and jet lag had me wide awake watching Mad Men all night. So I might celebrate by going back to sleep. Or by watching another episode (it’s so good! Damn you Draper…) And I’m so happy and proud to share this honor with Jake! Thanks Hollywood Foreign Press!”
The Kids Are All Right producer Jeffrey Levy-Hinte was in a “constant mode of celebration” over the film’s four nominations, including for best comedy or musical. “The Hollywood Foreign Press Association is one of the few organizations that saw the broad base of the film,” he said of the screenplay and lead actress mentions for stars Annette Bening and Julianne Moore. Levy-Hinte noted that the real “triumph” in the nominations for the film, about a lesbian family, “is to reinforce the sheer normality of [gay families].” — Lesley Goldberg
Trent Reznor was up early with his 2-month-old when he received an e-mail from The Social Network producer Scott Rudin informing him of his Golden Globe nomination for the Facebook film’s original score. The Nine Inch Nails frontman noted that the HFPA mention (shared with partner Atticus Ross) feels very different from the 12 Grammy noms the band has received. “As we see the music business decline and be decimated by the Internet, I feel some of the importance of the awards on that side of the fence feels a bit watered down; it doesn’t feel as legitimate to be recognized,” he said. “I’m not saying it doesn’t feel nice to be recognized by your peers, but it feels a bit more political rather than based on real talent.” Reznor, who teased that he has “some secret film scoring stuff” in the pipeline, added that “having been in the music business for some time now, it’s inevitable that you wind up getting cynical and jaded; accolades don’t mean much in my world. But the whole buzz around this film and working in this new discipline feels nice. It feels nice to be appreciated by our work in this field.” — Lesley Goldberg
Aaron Sorkin, The Social Network: “I’ve had the time of my life working alongside my colleagues on The Social Network and I’m grateful to the HFPA for recognizing their great, hard work. On a personal note it’s humbling to be nominated alongside six of the best screenwriters in town.”
Veteran composer Alan Menken heard his phone ring and when he picked up, all he heard was screaming. It was Tangled co-director Byron Howard along with Mandy Moore, and Zachary Levi and other members of the animated movie on the line, calling from Australia where they are promoting the movie to tell him the news his musical work had snagged a nomination. “It was a nice way to wake up,” Menken said. The composer hoped the success of the movie, both financial and critical, renews Disney’s interest in animated movies aside from the Pixar movies. “Before Tangled was released, and going back s months, this was done. The plug was pulled on new animated projects. Now, who knows. I don’t know. I think there is a renewed interest in doing more. As long as it proves to be something that people still respond to, I think the studio is going to want to do them. I couldn’t be happier.” — Borys Kit
A.R. Rahman found he earned a best original score nod for 127 Hours while having lunch in Turkey. “I got a call from my wife. She sent me a message. She was really excited.” Rahman, who won in 2008 for Slumdog Millionaire, tells The Hollywood Reporter: “I think getting a nomination for the second time is very exciting … The first nomination was unreal too … all the recognition. And then one year past … getting the same nomination. It seems unreal!” Rahman says he has no plans to celebrate the awards show yet, but will continue to focus on his work. “I’m really excited. It gives me a lot of responsibility to work even harder and with more energy.” — Lindsay Powers
Melissa Leo drew an Oscar nomination in 2008 for her lead performance in Frozen River, but this recognition for her supporting role in The Fighter is her first Globe nom. “I’ve worked along slow and steady as I always have, playing women that are varied,” Leo says. “And the one thing between them is the insistence on my part that they be truthful, real human beings.” Leo is one of four actors from the David O. Russell-directed boxing drama to get the HFPA nod, and she spent the morning trading congratulatory calls with her castmates. “This is hugely gratifying,” Leo says, “especially to find out that not only myself but just about everybody else was nominated for a Golden Globe. I know how hard we worked in Lowell two summers ago. All of us together is definitely what we did in Lowell and what the public is seeing now. So this is just happy fun time.” In New York doing press for the movie, Leo will leave by the end of the day to head back to New Orleans to shoot the second season of the HBO series Treme. With all the rushing around, however, Leo nearly bared more than her emotions. “They wanted me out of the hotel I was in and into the hotel for the [Globe] interviews,’ she says. “I almost streaked up Lexington Ave., but I managed to get some clothing on.” — Jay A. Fernandez
James Franco, 127 Hours: “I’m especially grateful to the HFPA for this honor and I’m excited to see 127 Hours being recognized this awards season. I’m happy for Danny Boyle and his team and our DP’s Quique and Anthony who were there with me down in the canyon! I am so proud of the film and that Aron Ralston’s story has been well received!”
Danny Boyle, 127 Hours: “We’re absolutely delighted to be included in the nominations for the Golden Globes especially as HFPA were so generous to us on Slumdog 2 years ago. I’m particularly pleased for James as it’s such a brave and exhilarating performance, and for Aron Ralston who took such a leap of faith in letting us tell his story in such an uncompromising way.”
Simon Beaufoy, 127 Hours: “It is a great honor to be nominated for a Golden Globe. Thank you to the HFPA. We could never have found the key to unlocking this script without Aron’s help and permission to tell his story with unflinching eyes. Nor would this script have worked without James in front of the camera and Danny and his team behind — the camera. They made the words fly.”
Danny Elfman, Alice in Wonderland: “This is a great way to cap off the 25th Anniversary of Tim and me. What a pleasure to work on this film.”
Edgar Ramirez, who is nominated for his performance as international terrorist Carlos the Jackal in Sundance’s Carlos, says he was drawn to the “complexity” of the character. Noting the critical support the movie has garnered since its premiere earlier this year at Cannes, Ramirez praised director Olivier Assayas. “Olivier is a genius, in my opinion,” he said. Carlos was also nominated for best miniseries or motion picture made for television. Commenting on audiences’ love affair with anti-heroes, Ramirez added: “I think it’s the contradictions. That’s what defines us as human beings. We are walking contradictions; we have the best a worse at the same time. I think that that somehow creates a connection for the audience. I think that any well built, well-written, multi-layered character allows that connection to happen. There’s something alive and real about it.” — Marisa Guthrie
Christian Colson, 127 Hours: “On behalf of everyone involved in making 127 Hours, a huge thank you to HFPA and congratulations to all this year’s nominees! We are thrilled by these nominations. I am particularly excited that James Franco’s extraordinary screen performance has been recognized alongside Danny Boyle, Simon Beaufoy and A.R. Rahman.”
Sofia Vergara, Modern Family: “I’m so honored to be nominated for a Golden Globe. Working on Modern Family is truly the best job and to be recognized for my work is such a gift.”
Kelly McDonald, Boardwalk Empire: “I was doing a junket in Glasgow for Boardwalk Empire, which is coming out in the U.K. in January, when I found out about my nomination,” McDonald tells THR. “The show has been an enormous part of my life for the last year and a half. It’s the best job! It’s been like my drama school. I’ve never worked so much.” McDonald plays Irish immigrant Margaret Schroeder. “I represent the American Dream,” says McDonald — who adds that the HBO epic has helped keep her craft razor sharp. “We really don’t know what’s happening episode to episode. We’re in the same boat as the audience!” — Stacey Wilson
David O. Russell was recuperating from a late night — Robert De Niro had thrown a reception for his film The Fighter, about the story of boxer Mickey Ward, in New York — when he was awoken by a pounding on his hotel room door. It was his CAA agent, Josh Lieberman, with news the movie had six nominations including best director and best picture. It was sweet validation for years of toiling on the project. “We came out like Mickey Ward,” Russell says. “Mickey Ward is a slow starter and it took a while to get out of the gate. People underestimated us coming out of the block and it we’re all very happy to get the recognition.” Now Russell hopes he can channel this wave of good vibes into his next projects. “I’ve had a humbling couple of years and I think it’s good to come from a humble place. You do better work, you try harder, and I just hope to stay here. I want to stay working from this place.” — Borys Kit
Olivier Assayas, director of Carlos, best mini-series or motion picture made for television: “I’d say it’s excellent news, right? It’s not something we were imagining when we were making the film. In my mind I was doing one very long movie; the problem is in terms of rules, it doesn’t fit in classic categories. It’s like when Ingmar Bergman did Fanny and Alexander. What’s great about the Globes is at least they can put it in a category, at least we can run. With the Oscar rules, there’s no space for us. This film doesn’t have clear borders — neither did Carlos [the Latin American terrorist who worked in Europe and the Middle East]. I would be lying if I didn’t say when it was screened at Cannes on a big screen with perfect sound, that’s the movie we were hoping for. It’s not shot in any TV style. It’s no different from any movie I’ve made, only bigger. But once you’ve seen it then you can watch it again on your TV, your iPad, your iPod [or the Sundance Channel in January].” When Bergman’s mini-series-turned-movie Scenes From a Marriage was ruled ineligible for an Oscar in 1974, an influential critic said it was the kind of legalistic obstruction ordinarily encountered at obscure Central European border stops. Does Assayas feel that Oscar rules are still antiquated in this way, blocking films like Carlos? “Honestly, I don’t know. A movie like Carlos — you can’t make rules based on oddities. What I think IS antiquated is the way foreign language movies are chosen. That’s this kind of post-Soviet method. Instead of having movies chosen by [national] officials, there must be a much simpler, healthier, smarter way of opening up to them.” — Tim Appelo
Alexandre Desplat, The King’s Speech: “It’s embarrassing to be nominated over and over –the Hollywood Foreign Press Association has been so kind to me over the years [five nominations, one win for The Painted Veil in 2006]. It’s very difficult to make a very restrained musical voice, to respect the silence and restrained emotion [of Colin Firth’s character, King George VI). Geoffrey Rush’s performance is more on the comedy side. It’s difficult to keep the balance of the two. When the emotion goes deep, you have to restrain the music. It’s easier to give gas on the comedy side, more volume, more shape. It’s important to respect the audience to be moved without music pushing too much. We recorded the score with these royal microphones we found at Abbey Road, with that restrained patina. It brings a delicacy, a tenderness, a nostalgia. We were actually recording through the very microphone that he was struggling to speak through.” Desplat resorted to absolute simplicity in the first scene, where the King fails to deliver a speech at Wembley Stadium. “It’s just one note repeating endlessly, as if he’s stuck. It comes back when he recalls the childhood nightmares [the upbringing that caused his stutter]. He can’t evolve, he can’t go on. The music conveys this same sensation. Music conveys the sensation you can’t see.” — Tim Appelo
Todd Lieberman and his co-producer David Hoberman spent six years trying the get The Fighter made. Today, the film racked up six Golden Globe nominations including best picture, drama, as well as best actor for Mark Wahlberg and supporting actress for Amy Adams. The accolades, said Lieberman, are “extremely satisfying.” “This particular movie was challenging to get made,” added Lieberman. “It was a multi-year journey with lots of different people contributing lots of different things along the way. The fact that it’s getting recognized and receiving some critical awards is just satisfying. But everyone believed in it. Everyone had the same amount of passion. And the people that joined along the way from Mark Wahlberg, who then brought on [director] David O. Russell, and his passion and his vision, everyone along the way had equal passion in the story. And we shot it in 33 days. We had limited resources and the fact that it’s getting the attention it’s getting is extremely satisfying.” — Marisa Guthrie
Stuart Blumberg won’t have much time to celebrate his first Golden Globe nomination for best screenplay for The Kids Are All Right. “I’m under a tight deadline to finish a TV pilot for ABC,” Blumberg said. “So I’m going to be in a café writing my butt off and drinking coffee.” With much buzz about which of the film’s leading ladies would be nominated – and in what category – Blumberg shows a bit of relief that both women made the cut. “I’m happy both of the moms got recognized,” he said of Annette Bening and Julianne Moore’s noms. “It’s wonderful to know that Lisa and I created characters that people thought were compelling and funny.” With his pilot nearly complete, Blumberg is looking forward to making the switch to the small screen next year: “It’s about a secret society of immortals for ABC, so it’s basically the same project [as Kids].” — Leslie Bruce
Making friends is easy when you’re movie is critically acclaimed. In The King’s Speech screenwriter David Seidler’s case, fellow Best Screenplay motion picture nominee, Aaron Sorkin, who he calls “my new best friend,” has now become the competition. “We’ve become friends by email and we’re both looking forward to finally meeting each other and bending an elbow together,” he tells The Hollywood Reporter of hitting the awards circuit. As for that pesky same category nom? “Golden Globes put adapted and original screenplays together, so it doubles the competition,” says Seidler. “Aaron and I agree that we are both mutually relieved not to be in each other’s category for most.” In the meantime the writer won’t be resting on his laurels. “I have a revision for my next movie, The Lady Who Went To Far, due on Friday,” he says. — Lauren Schutte
The first person with whom director Lee Unkrich, riding high on his Toy Story 3 being nominated for best animated movie, shared his news was his wife, at their home in San Francisco, but this being the second decade of the 21st century, it wasn’t by voice it was by text. “I got a smiley face form my wife,” Unkrich says. “That said it all.” Despite the track record of Pixar films scoring awards left, right and center, Unkrich said accolades didn’t enter anyone’s mind while making the movie. “It didn’t occur that anybody would be interest in giving awards to a movie with the number three in the title. I felt that yes, a lot of the other Pixar films that we’ve made were critically acclaimed but I figured that this wasn’t going to be one of those.” While there’s been talk of Toy Story 3 making a run for best picture, Unkrich pointed out that HFPA rules keep animation movies from competing with live action films, although Toy Story 2 won the best picture (comedy/musical) in 2000, before the category was created. While some animators bristle about being separated, not so Unkrich. “Every awards group has its own rules. We’re happy to be here and to be honored by the Hollywood Foreign Press.” — Borys Kit
Edie Falco, Nurse Jackie: “My friends and I at Nurse Jackie are thrilled to be recognized for the work we love to do.”
Sara Colleton, executive producer, Dexter: “Getting a Golden Globe nomination is an honor and a thrill. It’s the best company and the best party of the year!”
Sylvain Chomet, The Illusionist: It’s a thrill and an honor to be nominated for a Golden Globe. I’m obviously delighted The Illusionist is getting recognized on the highest of global platforms — but more than that — I am deeply touched by how people are taking this wonderful film to their hearts.
Critically praised How to Train Your Dragon was nominated in the best animated feature category. The film’s co-director Dean DeBlois said he was not expecting a Golden Globe nomination for the critically praised DreamWorks’ film. “I didn’t now how many nominees there were going to be [in the animated feature category],” he said. But he praised the inventiveness of fellow nominees: Universal’s Despicable Me, Django Films’ The Illusionist, and Disney’s Tangled and Toy Story 3. “I think it’s a really nice representation of the good work that’s been done this year,” said. “There’s so much innovative work that’s been done. It’s a very proud moment for the entire crew. Now that I’m working on the second installment … it only gives us more confidence for our work going forward.” — Marisa Guthrie
Tom Hooper, fielding his first Globe nom for directing The King’s Speech, notes that his movie has the longest pedigree, since writer David Seidler, also nominated for his screenplay, was alive when the events took place. “His journey started as a child with a severe stammer listening to King George VI on the radio during the Second World War and thinking, That man’s my hero,” says Hooper, whose grandfather was killed in the war. “It was a big strong personal connection for me. The war cast a long shadow.” On the phone from Melbourne, Hooper has recently been opening the film for Australian audiences, who “know how to laugh.” With its struggle for financing and central affectation — the king’s debilitating verbal tic — Speech was far from a sure thing in terms of awards recognition. “When I started this film, I never imagined that this would happen,” says Hooper. “I was aware of all the things that could go wrong. It felt like a big mountain to climb to get it right. So it’s funny how these things work out.” Indeed, Speech emerged with the most Globe noms of any film, but any potential celebration for Hooper will have to wait. “You can’t plan on, ‘Tonight I’m going to get seven Golden Globe nominations, therefore I better have a party,’” Hooper says. “To be honest, it’s a challenge. It’s Melbourne, it’s two in the morning, the city’s asleep, I’m alone in my hotel room. I know the junket for Tangled is going on in my hotel so maybe I can kick them all out of bed.” — Jay Fernandez
Laura Linney, The Big C: “I feel extremely honored to be nominated amongst such a talented group of women and I’m absolutely thrilled for our show, The Big C and would like to congratulate all of the cast and crew on their nomination.”
Producer Richard Zanuck, Alice in Wonderland: “I’m thrilled for Tim [Burton] and grateful, because the whole picture came out of his brain. I’m here in London, actually, working with Tim on Dark Shadows. Johnny [Depp] is nominated twice [for best performance by an actor in a motion picture, comedy or musical, in Alice in Wonderland and The Tourist]. He’ll have to fight it out with himself, a thing he’s been trying to do for years. He’s winning! We won [2008 Golden Globes] for Sweeney Todd [as best picture, comedy or musical], and Johnny won. But the show wasn’t broadcast because of the strike. So they had to send the globes to us. It was too bad to win but not get to get up to accept it. Hopefully this time we’ll get to. Tim is very pleased for the picture [Alice in Wonderland], and doubly pleased because Helena’s picture [Helena Bonham Carter in The King’s Speech] got into the drama category, and that her film got more nominations than anyone’s. There’s no jealousy — quite the reverse. They’re so in sync.” — Tim Appelo
“In the early stages, there was a lot of skepticism about doing a ballet thriller,” says Black Swan producer Brian Oliver. “I really loved the project and could see that there would be more appeal than just the art house.” Nominated for best picture, drama, Swan scored three other nominations, including those for actress Natalie Portman and director Darren Aronofsky, who nurtured the psycho-sexual project for a decade. “I’m extremely happy for Natalie and Darren,” Oliver says. “The work that they both put into this movie, they’re the ones who should be celebrating. It’s much deserved. For Darren, this is just another feather in his cap, because he’s figured out a way to satisfy the critics and the masses.” Speaking by phone, Oliver was on his way back from dropping off his pre-teen kids at their L.A. school. “They just ask, ‘When can we see the movie?’ ” he says.”And I say, ‘In ten years.’ ” — Jay A. Fernandez
Jennifer Lawrence was at a loss for words when she got the news that she’d been nominated in the same category as Nicole Kidman, Natalie Portman, Halle Berry and Michelle Williams. “Umm … gosh … I don’t even … Just to be in the same sentence as those actresses, I don’t even know how to describe how amazing that feels,” she told THR of her Winter’s Bone best actress in a drama nod. Ironically, the person who told her the news, was more concerned with her holiday plans. “My brother just texted and said, ‘Congrats, you got nominated for something, when are you gonna be home for Christmas?” When she wrote back to ask him what for, he said, ” ‘Something about a globe.’ And I went, ‘Are you telling me I just got nominated for a Golden Globe?!’ and he goes, ‘No, I was just asking when you were coming home for Christmas.’ He still doesn’t know what a Golden Globe is, right now.” The actress, who is currently filming X-Men: First Class in London, took a few moments to herself to let the nomination sink in. “I had to calm myself down in my trailer, because I knew if I walked out I would’ve done cartwheels screaming, ‘I just got nominated for a Golden Globe,’ and then I wouldn’t have any friends anymore.” But, it didn’t take long for word of her nom to spread. “I told the hair and makeup girls, and of course that’s where all the rumors originate anyway, so it didn’t take long for it to get all the away across set.” After putting in a full day on set, she’s planning to celebrate with cast and crew at her London digs. “We’re just going to get dinner, cause I have to get up early tomorrow.” As for her future plans: “The only thing I have on my mind after this wraps is sleeping. And then I’ll start focusing on which movie to do next,” she says. — Lauren Schutte
Lisa Cholodenko, The Kids Are All Right: “It really hasn’t been the worst week [with a Golden Globe nomination and New York Film Critics Circle award]. I’m a little tired and very excited. (So is her dog, who barks with what sounds like pride.) It took us close to five years to get it from soup to nuts. We wrote in earnest, trying to invent deep, lived in characters and say things that resonate, while dealing with things like having a kid and two actors living on opposite coasts. What doesn’t kill you makes you funny. It did give us a chance to work with Annette [Bening], a great dramaturg herself, and not just for her part. Stuart [Blumberg, cowriter] challenged me to be less polite, and I challenged him to push deeper into his characters. I pushed wider outside of my margins. And so we did and it was a good cocktail. It’s great to be perceived as a comedy/drama. It would’ve beenmuch easier to stop at the drama part.” — Tim Appelo
Modern Family‘s Eric Stonestreet was enjoying his first Golden Globe nomination with his Twitter family and was completely amused that the first person to tweet their congratulations was a stranger: @LisaTook. “I don’t know her, but it’s just funny that she was on it before anyone else was — four minutes before my publicist called,” said Stonestreet. The Emmy winner tipped his cap to the supporting actor nominees including The Good Wife‘s Chris Noth, Temple Grandin‘s David Strathairn, Glee‘s Chris Colfer, but wished castmates Ty Burrell and Jesse Tyler Ferguson had picked up mentions. “Jesse texted me congratulations this morning, and he knows the drill: Neither one of us are anything without the other and none of us are anything without each other or without [creators] Steve [Levitan] or Chris [Lloyd],” he noted. “Any individual attention is attention for all of us.” — Lesley Goldberg
Iain Canning and Emile Sherman, producers, The King’s Speech: “This time last year we were knee deep in snow in a small town in the midlands shooting scenes to accompany Colin Firth’s final speech. A year later to be nominated for seven Golden Globes is truly incredible. We all hope to be better versions of ourselves and that’s what makes The King’s Speech timeless. Audiences are connecting with Bertie’s struggle and his enduring friendship with Logue at a time when we can easily forget what is important in life.
Katey Sagal, Sons of Anarchy: I couldn’t be more thrilled with the news this morning, which is not only a testament to the impact my character Gemma Teller has had on audiences, but more importantly how Sons of Anarchy has made a mark. Without my fellow cast mates, especially Ron Perlman, Charlie Hunnam and Maggie Siff, FX Network and the genius of our creator and writer Kurt Sutter, I wouldn’t be getting such an exciting 5 a.m. wake-up call. Thank you so much to the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.”
Scott Rudin, producer, The Social Network: “I couldn’t be more thrilled for my colleagues that we were recognized so richly this morning. Huge thanks to the HFPA for a big vote of confidence in our film — we’re very grateful and very honored.”
Dana Brunetti, producer, The Social Network: “A huge thank you to the members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. I am thrilled and extremely grateful that The Social Network has been acknowledged. I am eternally grateful to David Fincher and Aaron Sorkin for creating a film of which we are all so proud.”
“It’s brilliant! Fantastic!” says 127 Hours co-writer Simon Beaufoy, who won the best screenplay honor from the HFPA in 2008 for writing Slumdog Millionaire. “Slumdog was a surprise to everyone, and I guess [the 127 Hours nom] gives the lie to that well-worn cliché that Hollywood only likes its blockbusters. This is the antithesis of a blockbuster in all sorts of ways. And it’s great that there’s room for the kind of challenging, emotionally hard-hitting, uncompromising film that this is. It’s brilliant to be recognized because it means it’s got more exposure and more people will go to see it, and that means more films like it in the future.” On the phone from Oxford, Beaufoy described the core challenge of adapting the extraordinary story of Aron Ralston, who was trapped under a boulder in a Utah crevasse for five days before making his escape. “It was one of the most difficult screenplays one can imagine writing,” says Beaufoy, “and very exciting to have to dig very deep in one’s craft skills to keep people on the edge of their seats for 90 minutes when everyone knows what happens.” Hours also scored star James Franco a best actor nomination and A.R. Rahman a best original score nod, but Beaufoy’s co-writer Danny Boyle wasn’t named in the directing category. “It surprised me only because I think it’s his best feature directing,” Beaufoy says. “This is orchestrated by a real master of his craft. The words fly off the page because of James and Danny. So it’s a shame.” Just the same, Beaufoy is looking to hoist a pint for both of them. “I genuinely wasn’t expecting it, but I am going down the pub this evening, that’s for sure.” — Jay Fernandez
“I am so excited!” says In a Better World director Susanne Bier. “I really didn’t expect it, because the Golden Globes always seemed like such an inaccessible entity. When was the last time a Danish film was nominated? It was like 20 years ago. It’s not something you can just count on. The movie has done really well with awards — I think it’s very timely, an exciting story about real issues. Revenge [and school bullying], suddenly it’s very — how do you say? Almost pushing upon our conscious in a very forceful manner. Maybe not even in the conscious, but the subconscious.” “In Europe, the Golden Globes seem very, very American. I know it’s not an American body, but the Globes broadly celebrate American cinema even more than the Oscars. You kind of feel with many of the movies nominated for the Golden Globes, you’re very much engaging in American society.” — Tim Appelo
Gareth Unwin, producer, The King’s Speech: “I am deeply honored and very thankful to the HFPA to see the film, our Director, its cast, the script and score recognized with these 7 nominations. We are all immensely proud of the film we have made and seeing it recognized in this way is really quite humbling.”
The self-described “Susan Lucci of the Golden Globes,” songwriter Diane Warren scored her fifth nomination from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for “You Haven’t Seen the Last Me,” Cher’s anthem from Burlesque. But she said being nominated is always an honor and she thinks the fifth time may finally be the charm. Warren described “You Haven’t Seen the Last of Me” as “definitely the best song I’ve ever written for a movie, but I think it’s one of the best songs I’ve ever written in my life.” “I really tapped into Cher,” she added. The song is “like her life statement. And when she heard it, the felt the same way. We never see the last of her. She’s going to be touring in a wheel chair when she’s 150 and we’re going to love it. She’s going to outdo all the other bitches. It’s going to be the “You Haven’t Seen the Last of Me” tour. It so it’s just fun to tap into that.” But the song almost didn’t make it into the film. But Cher insisted that it stay in. “I’m grateful for that. She really had my back.” Burlesque has two songs in the original song category: Samuel Dixon and Christina Aguilera’s “Bound to You” also scored a nomination. And the film is nominated for best picture musical or comedy. Warren thinks the 64-year-old Cher has hit a high note in a career marked by them. “She’s just amazing. I’ve done so many songs with her. I’ve been working with Cher over 20 years and she’s never sounded this good. It’s like how are you hitting those notes? But I also think it’s because it really is her truth. When she sang that song, as much as she gave me shit for writing a song that was quote unquote so fucking hard to sing, she nailed it.” — Marisa Guthrie
After all the controversy surrounding the nudity in his film Love and Other Drugs, Jake Gyllenhaal couldn’t be happier with his and co-star Anne Hathaway’s nominations. “I feel like so much has been made about the nudity in this film. I think the wonderful irony about this is that I think people got carried away with that and the thing that makes the film so special and so important to me was the intimacy between the two characters and what Annie [Hathaway] and I share on screen and what we shared with [director] Ed Zwick while we were making it,” he says. In fact, the actor, who is in L.A., wasn’t expecting the early-morning announcement at all. “My phone kept ringing at home and it was 6:30 in the morning and I had had like 25 emails, which is either awesome, or disconcerting at certain times in your life.” But, he’s not upset about the lack of sleep. “There are times when it’s so awesome to be tired, and this is one of those times.” So what was Gyllenhaal, whose next film Source Code is out April 1, 2011, going to do to celebrate? “Some form of caffeine is definitely in order,” he joked. “I’m planning on heading to meet my family soon for the holidays, which really, ultimately, I’m looking forward to the most. So, I’m just gonna be packing and smiling.” — Lauren Schutte
Darlene Hunt, creator/writer and executive producer of The Big C: “The Golden Globe nominations are such a thrill and such well deserved recognition of Laura and the entire team of people who helped make the first season of this dream of mine a success. I’ve been trying to live more like Cathy who is learning that celebrating every single moment is what life is about and this is certainly a great reason to celebrate. Maybe I’ll go ride a ferris wheel today, or drive through Krispy Kreme.”
Producer Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck, The Tourist: “Three Golden Globe nominations for The Tourist is a dream come true. No one is more fun to watch than Johnny [Depp] and Angelina [Jolie]. They are great artists, and in my book, they deserve every nomination and award on the globe.”
Luca Guadagnino, director of I Am Love: “I feel unstoppable joy, achievement, surprise, and it’s a very good feeling. Something I’ve been dreaming of feeling for a long time. But I must add that all the people involved in the film found in Hollywood and the American cinema world a home. We did I Am Love in Italy in a big number of troubles. Italy has been a sort of strangely cruel mother to the film. I feel like Rapunzel in the film Tangled. I think they didn’t want to get this movie, they didn’t pick the film for the Oscars. I don’t think the movie is the kind that sells in Italy now, which is basically dramedies about men that are not able to grow up and be a man. Vitteloni syndrome without Fellini. This Globe nomination is a sort of really strong warning for the Italian culture. Beware! When you don’t support what’s good, what can make your country stand out, then the image of your country goes down and down and down. They chose another movie, instead of one that was internationally well received, particularly in the U.S. But it’s all right. Right now the moment is cheer, and I’m very cheerful. It’s a great day!”
Robert Carlock, executive producer of 30 Rock: “It is truly an honor to be nominated. We couldn’t be more thrilled. Our table will require two vegetarian meals. Is now the time to deal with this?”
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