“Oppenheimer” continued to steamroll by way of Hollywood’s awards season on Saturday, profitable the highest prize, for excellent forged, together with awards for Cillian Murphy and Robert Downey Jr., on the thirtieth Display Actors Guild Awards.
Because the Academy Awards draw nearer, Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster biopic — already a winner on the Golden Globes and the BAFTAs — has more and more regarded just like the run-away favourite. The SAG Awards, some of the telling Oscar predictors, will solely add to the momentum for “Oppenheimer,” the lead Academy Awards nominee with 13 nods.
The SAG Awards had been streamed stay on Netflix, a primary for a significant Hollywood award present. That made for some vital tweaks to the age-old traditions of such ceremonies. There have been no adverts. Profanity was permitted. (“Don’t say something you wouldn’t say in entrance of Oprah,” stated Idris Elba.) And winners had been sometimes interviewed backstage by red-carpet co-host Tan France — typically awkwardly, typically charmingly.
The SAG Awards don’t at all times signify Oscar success. Two of the final 5 winners from the guild (“The Trial of the Chicago 7” and “Black Panther”) misplaced on the Academy Awards. However prior to now two years, all 5 of the highest SAG prizes — greatest ensemble and the 4 appearing winners — have corresponded with the eventual Oscar winners, together with the ensembles for “All the things In all places All at As soon as” and “CODA.”
That might imply the SAGs provided an Oscar preview in two of the closest contests: greatest actor and greatest actress.
The night time’s most thrilling win went to Lily Gladstone for feminine actor in a number one position in Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon.” No class has been extra hotly contested, with analysts evenly cut up between Gladstone and Emma Stone for “Poor Issues.”
However Gladstone received Saturday and the gang erupted. Stone, too, stood and vigorously applauded. Extra is driving on Gladstone than maybe another Oscar contender this yr. Her win can be a primary for Native Individuals.
“We convey empathy right into a world that a lot wants it,” stated Gladstone. “It is really easy to distance ourselves. It is really easy to shut off, to cease feeling. And all of us bravely maintain feeling. And that humanizes individuals. That brings individuals out of the shadows. It brings visibility.”
Murphy and Paul Giamatti (“The Holdovers”) have additionally been seen as in a neck-and-neck contest. However Murphy has now received on the SAGs, the BAFTAs and Globes, suggesting he has the clear edge heading into the Academy Awards.
Downey Jr. and Da’Vine Pleasure Randolph every received for his or her supporting performances, likewise solidifying their standing as Oscar favorites.
“Why me? Why now? Why do issues appear to be going my approach?” stated Downey Jr., accepting his first SAG Award for a movie efficiency. “In contrast to my fellow nominees, I’ll by no means develop drained from the sound of my very own voice.”
Randolph’s efficiency in Alexander Payne’s “The Holdovers” has been a breakthrough position for the 37-year-old actor. Now, she seems poised to win the Academy Award.
“To each actor on the market nonetheless ready within the wings for his or her likelihood, let me inform you: Your life can change in a day,” Randolph stated. “It’s not a query of if however when. Preserve going.”
After greater than 20 years airing on TNT and TBS to dwindling viewership, Netflix acquired telecast rights to the SAG Awards in early 2023. Netflix, a dominant drive for years in awards season, turned host, too.
“Personally, I can’t wait to get house and have Netflix suggest this present to me based mostly on all the opposite stuff that I watch myself in,” joked Idris Elba, the night time’s de facto emcee.
The TV awards went largely to the identical reveals which have cleaned up on the Emmys and Golden Globes: “The Bear” (greatest comedy collection ensemble, Jeremy Allen White, Ayo Edebiri ); “Beef” (Ali Wong, Steven Yeun); and the forged of “Succession.”
One exception was Pedro Pascal, who received greatest male actor in a drama collection for “The Final of Us” over a trio of “Succession” stars.
“That is fallacious for quite a lot of causes,” stated a visibly surprised Pascal. “I’m somewhat bit drunk. I believed I might get drunk.”
This yr’s SAG Awards follows a grueling months-long strike wherein the SAG-AFTRA union fought a bitter battle over quite a lot of points. A lot of the work stoppage was prompted over modifications within the movie and TV business introduced on by streaming and a sea change led by Netflix.
“Your solidarity ignited employees around the globe, triggering what without end can be keep in mind as ‘the new labor summer time,'” stated Fran Drescher, president of SAG-AFTRA. “This was a seminal second in our union’s historical past.”
The brand new streaming platform was positive to place much more of a highlight on some of the closely-watched predictors of the Academy Awards. Oscar voting wraps Tuesday.
Barbra Streisand held the viewers in rapt consideration whereas accepting a lifetime achievement award, offered by Jennifer Aniston and Bradley Cooper.
“I keep in mind dreaming of being an actress as an adolescent sitting in my mattress in Brooklyn with a pint of espresso ice cream and a film journal,” stated Streisand, who recalled being transfixed by “my first crush,” Marlon Brando.
Streisand additionally took a second to rejoice the Jewish pioneers of Hollywood.
“Now I dream of a world the place such prejudice is a factor of the previous,” she stated.
Saturday’s present was one among Netflix’s most vital forays but into stay streaming occasions. Netflix has beforehand hosted a stay Chris Rock comedy particular, a celeb golf match and a stay reunion “Love Is Blind” episode that was marred by technical difficulties. However Netflix is gearing up for extra. On March 3, it can stream a stay tennis occasion.
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Observe AP Movie Author Jake Coyle at: http://twitter.com/jakecoyleAP
