Golden Globes: Under Pressure

“Bohemian Rhapsody” wins Best Drama at the Golden Globes

Janessa Hammers
Staff Writer

As Rami Malek walked down the red carpet at the Golden Globes last Sunday, he would have never guessed that his simple origins as a pizza delivery guy with dreams of becoming a Hollywood star would turn into reality.  

The Golden Globes have celebrated films, actors, and film-makers since 1944 and still holds a valuable influence in Hollywood today. With a variety of breakout films this past year including the nominees for Best Picture: A Star is Born, Black Panther, Black Klansman, If Beale Street Could Talk, and Bohemian Rhapsody everyone was on their toes waiting to see which film would be chosen. 

The front runners appeared to be “A Star Is Born” starring Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper and Bohemian Rhapsody starring Rami Malek. Originally directed in 1937 by William A. Wellman, “A Star is Born” is a classic story of finding fame in Hollywood that has seen many adaptations throughout the years. In addition to being nominated for Best Picture the film was also nominated for Best Actor and Best Actress, Best Director, and Best Original song ‘Shallow,’ making it an obvious favorite.  

Bradley Cooper helped to write and direct the 2018 version so it was expected that he would be a front-runner for Best Actor and Best Picture, little did they know Rami Malek would swoop in and steal the show. Rami Malek was also nominated for Best Actor and Best Picture for his role as Queen’s lead singer Freddie Mercury in the biopic “Bohemian Rhapsody”. 

Bohemian Rhapsody follows the life of Freddie Mercury from the start of his career with Queen to the eventual disbandment of the group and the legendary concert performed by Queen at the Live Aid charity fundraiser in 1985. But the film pushed deeper than just surface level concerts and partying to delve into why the band disbanded and the issues they faced as individuals. Specifically, the health issues Freddie experienced later in life when he contracted AIDS in the early 80s and his dealings with the band’s label urging him to go solo and get paid more than his bandmates.

 While A Star is Born was chalk-full of A-list stars in the cast, Bohemian Rhapsody was an underdog in casting many lesser-known talented actors, so of course when the stars got snubbed in favor of the underdogs the tone for fellow awards shows was set as the Golden Globes serve as the kickoff event of awards season in Hollywood.

 During awards shows the spotlight is not only on the nominees but also on the presenters and their performances during the awards show. Nicole Kidman was not nominated for any awards this season but was the presenter for Best Drama the category which Bohemian Rhapsody unexpectedly won. 

As the cast of Bohemian Rhapsody filed onto the stage to accept the award, Malek was star-struck and wanted to hug and thank Kidman in his excitement, but Kidman turned away and kept walking off the stage like she was supposed to, leaving Malek snubbed. 

In an interview with Jimmy Kimmel on Jimmy Kimmel Live! Malek explains, “I’ve known her (Nicole Kidman) for many years… so I thought I could easily go up and say hi.” In her defense, Kidman explained in an interview with Entertainment Tonight that they have indeed been friends for many years, and that she just did not feel his hand on her back as they were both in a daze from glitz and glamor of the awards show. 

The Golden Globes signify the start to awards show season and tend to set the tone for the rest of the season in terms of what films and actors will win. The winners are chosen by the 93 members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the organization that also works with the Oscars to nominate and view films.

Cheers to the beginning of awards season starting with a bang. 

Feature Photo: Rami Malek (center) as Freddie Mercury in the Golden Globe winning movie “Bohemian Rhapsody.” (The Associated Press)