In a night devoted to performance alone, the Screen Actors Guild Awards wasted no time in honoring the year’s top contenders.
What makes the SAG Awards so unique (and one of my favorite ceremonies) is that the actors vote for their fellow actors, making the year in cinema come full circle between their peers.
One of the best parts of the night comes at the beginning with the “I Am An Actor” monologues. Every year, select actors are chosen to face the camera and give a short speech, sometimes laughable and sometimes moving, about what made them become an actor. This year’s chosen performers included Jane Krakowski from “30 Rock,” Darren Criss from “Glee,” Helen Hunt from “The Sessions” and the legendary Hal Holbrook.
Even better? There were some (gasp!) upsets in prominent categories. The BBC hit “Downton Abbey” took the statue for Outstanding Performance for an Ensemble in a Drama Series, besting the likes of “Mad Men” and “Boardwalk Empire.” “Silver Linings Playbook” star Jennifer Lawrence bested Jessica Chastain in “Zero Dark Thirty” for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role; tripping her way up to the stage, she recalled first receiving her SAG card — from an episode of MTV’s “My Super Sweet Sixteen.”
Some categories went to the front runners set by the Golden Globes, including Anne Hathaway in “Les Miserables” for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role and Daniel Day-Lewis in “Lincoln” nabbing the Lead Actor win. TV wins included Female Actor in a Drama Series Claire Danes for “Homeland” and the cast of “Modern Family” for Ensemble in a Comedy Series.
The legendary Dick Van Dyke received a lifetime achievement award. Van Dyke’s undeniably grateful demeanor made for a sweet highlight.
Capping the night off with the Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture award was “Argo,” which has been notably snubbed this season by the Academy for director/star Ben Affleck.
Many of the speeches of the night were more heartfelt and meaningful than the rest because it was actors thanking actors, the people they work with and the people who’ve inspired them.
Catch the next Trophy Hunting wrap-up when the Grammy Awards air on CBS Feb. 10.
