Brokeback Mountain had been tipped to sweep the board at the Golden Globes, and it did. The gay cowboy drama roped in four gongs, although its star, Heath Ledger, went home empty-handed after ceding the best dramatic actor award to Philip Seymour Hoffman for Capote.
Taiwanese filmmaker Ang Lee did, however, have the satisfiction of holding aloft the director's trophy for what was seen as a controversial picture in Hollywood circles. "People fall in love, period," he declared. "This is a universal story. I just wanted to make a love story."
The mood seemed to favour outsider dramas, with Felicity Huffman taking an accolade for Transamerica, in which she portrays a transsexual. Although best known as a Desperate Housewife, the actress has spent years paying her dues in Hollywood.
On the podium 44-year-old Felicity saluted "the men and women who brave ostracism, alienation and a life on the margins to become who they really are".
Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon were both honoured for their performances in a musical. The pair starred in Walk The Line, a biopic based on the life of country legend, Johnny Cash. Meanwhile George Clooney was recognised as best supporting actor for Syriana.
The British winners were led by Rachel Weisz, who was named best supporting actress in The Constant Gardener, and Hugh Laurie, honoured in the TV category for his medical series House. The comedian - who adopts a flawless American accent for the part - went on stage to thank his hairdresser and his agent before accepting the award.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
