BROADBENT WINS ‘GLOBE’ FOR BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

THE Golden Globes are viewed as the weather vane to Oscar success in March, but the 59th Golden Globes Awards produced an unlikely result for one British nominee.
Jim Broadbent baffled expectations in landing the best supporting actor Globe for his portrayal of John Bayley, Iris Murdoch’s husband, in ‘Iris’. As he accepted his award, Broadbent voiced his surprise, and the surprise of many, saying: "This is amazing, I couldn't be more surprised, I've not got anything worked out."
He was nominated alongside weightier acting names like Steve Buscemi, Ben Kingsley, Jon Voight, Jude Law and Hayden Christensen – all of whom were involved in films that had fared well at the US box office.
Broadbent has appeared in two other films in the past year – ‘Moulin Rouge’ and ‘Brigit Jones’s Diary’ - both of which were received well by audiences and critics alike on both sides of the Atlantic. Indeed, ‘Moulin Rouge’ came away with the best comedy/musical picture award.
Broadbent was the only British success on the night as Britain’s other nominee hopefuls - Kate Winslet, Helen Mirren, Tilda Swinton and Judi Dench – came away empty handed. (GMcG)