Jeff Bridges really tied the room together at the Globes.
Wednesday, January 9, 2019 at 8:51PM
Oops. We concluded our Globe coverage without talking about Jeff Bridges! That won't do, man. Here's Eric Blume...
Jeff Bridges was presented with the Cecil B. DeMille award at Sunday’s Golden Globe ceremony. Now that we no longer have career tribute awards broadcasted on the Oscar telecast (BOO!), this is one of the few times we get to see a full-fledged tribute to a Hollywood legend, and those are always fun.
Chris Pine, his co-star in Hell or High Water, did a fine job with the brief introductory speech and basically repeated what everyone has said for five decades of movies now...
Not only a master craftsman, but also truly a kind and wonderful gentleman.”
These two qualities don’t always go hand in hand, and both halves of that statement are key to why Bridges has had not only such a long career, but one where he was always being hired and working with artists at the top of their game...
Then came the super weird clip reel. Sam Elliott “semi-narrated” the piece, which means Eliliott read an awkwardly-scripted couple of lines that held together pieces from Bridge’s filmography, rather than the producers picking moments that really showed Bridges’ range and talent (e.g., the moment from The Fisher King featured Robin Williams, not Bridges?). And the entire piece led up to…drum roll…a highlighted moment from Bridges as an animated penguin in Surf’s Up! Really, Golden Globes ?!? All that incredible acting and that’s the climax? They could have done a lot better by him, but they did highlight how many huge films Bridges has appeared in, and showed him in all his modes: boyish, sexy, grizzly, everyman, etc. Bonus points for highlighting his two truly magnificent but unsung performances in Fabulous Baker Boys and Fearless.
Then Bridges had his turn at the podium, and we can probably all agree not only on the fact that Bridges is one of our greatest all-time actors, but also on the fact that he is not a speech-giver. He rambled on but also gave us a quintessentially Bridgian moment, when he thanked his stand-in, Loyd Catlet, who was his stand-in for 70(!) films.
I don’t think any star has ever thanked his stand-in before (there was a funny shot of Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell, who couldn’t believe it either), and in fact referred to Catlet as “the thread through the whole deal” which is kind of amazing. It was also fun to hear him thank Peter Bogdanovich, the Coen Brothers, Michael Cimino, and Steve Kloves.
We hope the Golden Globes always keep the Cecil B. DeMille Award going. It has to be so bizarre for these recipients to see their lives unfold in front of their eyes (not to mention watch themselves age), and then have the pressure to say something concrete and profound about their life in the business, but that’s the fun of it. It reminds us of not only these artists’ contribution to the cinema, but of how they have become part of the fabric of our lives. Bridges is a more than worthy recipient. He always makes you feel like he still has a few great performances up his sleeve. Here’s hoping we get them!
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What did you make of the tribute and who do you hope they honor next?
Reader Comments (17)
They're nearly always the highlight of the show. Its incredible that the Oscar's haven't seen the light and brought them back.
Loved hearing him pay tribute to his directors.
Love Jeff Bridges. He’s given many award-worthy performances— in addition to those you’ve already mentioned, Starman is a personal favorite. And what a beautiful man (peak hotness in Against All Odds). He also seems like a truly wonderful human being who loves his wife and family.
Is is terrible for me to think he should have actually, you know, prepared a speech? He knew this was happening, it’s not like he didn’t think he would win. Compare his ramblings to the always entertaining and professional Carol Burnett or even the truly stunned Glenn Close. It would have been nice to hear him talk about his art, or even share a few amusing anecdotes. A missed opportunity.
Totally unrelated but the new statuette is horrendous. Needed to be said!
We should all talk about The Fabulous Baker Boys more.
Jeff Bridges is the kind of star who just makes me smile when I think of him. Very talented and very hot in those early years, showed real range in middle age, and has aged gracefully into an elder statesman capable of filling a John Wayne part, or just being The Dude.
He reminds me of Paul Newman, at ease with himself and gracious and graceful when handling fame.
Next year I want Sigourney Weaver to have the honour.
I truly love Jeff Bridges but honestly his speech became pretty tiresome. Prepare, people! It's not that hard. Look at how amazing, humble and thoughtful Carol Burnett's words were.
Next Year Julia Roberts Please!!!
He really is a gracious, sweet man who happens to be a stunning actor. Seeing those clips brought back so many memories. As a kid I pasted the full page ad of King Kong on my bedroom wall. Chris Pine’s reactions really got to me.
Jane Fonda has to be next. No excuses.
The way a white man can just go on stage and ramble incoherently and people find it endearing... This was a mess of a speech. Wtf was going on with that tag analogy.
In all fairness, the speech was very Bridges-ian, but also very Globes-ian. Remember when Denzel forgot his glasses and his wife gave his speech for him, and everyone was charmed? These awards have a long history of endearingly incoherent speeches.
And... lay off "Surf's Up"! It was a good movie.
I second, third and fourth the Jane Fonda suggestion. Jane Fonda, yes yes yes!
I agree with beyaccount. I tuned out after a few minutes of rambling. Carol on the other hand was riveting.
I agree with the others - a rambling speech if there ever was one.
You guys are humorless. Speeches don't have to sound like speeches. Wouldn't be Jeff Bridges if it wasn't quirky and rambling and full of hippie philosophy.
Would have been surprising if his speech HADN'T have been under the influence and rambling. Love him!
It takes a village to make a movie. In the golden age of Hollywood, the great ones made sure to be kind to the crew. Jeff Bridges thanking his stand in showed his kindness and gratitude. While the speech was a bit rambling, it was from the heart. It was a big moment for him and he showed his emotion while giving a speech the Dude would be proud of. I found it thoroughly enjoyable. After seeing Jane Fonda's documentary, and realizing the woman put her $ where her mouth was I recommend her for next year's award.
This post is the tea. Nothing but love for Jeff !