‘Birdman’ Soars at 2015 SAG Award

26 Jan, 2015

“Birdman,” a satirical film about acting in the unforgiving world of show business, won top honors from Hollywood’s actors on Sunday in an important show of support for its march toward the best picture Oscar.

The actors from “Birdman” won the best ensemble cast in a motion picture from the Screen Actors Guild the day after the film from Mexican director Alejandro G. Inarritu prevailed at the Producers Guild awards.

While the SAG award for the best ensemble cast does not always translate to a best picture win at the Academy Awards, it does indicate that actors, the largest voting bloc for the Oscars, favor it over another strong contender, the coming of age tale “Boyhood.”

Michael Keaton, whose own uneven career trajectory mirrors the travails of “Birdman” protagonist Riggan Thomson, said he was sure the 100,000 SAG members found a kindred spirit in the film.

“I think actors loved this movie for showing the courage the actors had, going out there and laying it out on the line,” Keaton said backstage. “I think that is why respectfully they thought as a group we deserved to win the prize.”

SAG members prized lead performances by two actors portraying extreme illness.

Moore won best actress for her role as a woman with early-onset Alzheimer’s in “Still Alice,” while British actor Redmayne took best actor for his portrayal of physicist Stephen Hawking, disabled by motor neuron disease, in “The Theory of Everything.”

“Boyhood,” from director Richard Linklater, was believed to be a favorite for the Oscar best picture just days ago as support at the Academy swelled for his tenacious project – filming a boy’s life over 12 years with the same actors and with little backing from Hollywood.

Arquette won the best supporting actress trophy for her role as the loving single mother, her first SAG in six nominations.

“This little movie is not about the most exceptional person on earth … this movie is about human beings and bringing real life on to the screen,” Arquette said backstage.

Simmons, an actor with a long resume in television and film, was honored for his portrayal as the intense music teacher of a young jazz drummer in the independent film, “Whiplash.”

In the television awards, it was a particularly strong night for streaming company NetflixInc. Its women’s prison comedy, “Orange is the New Black,” won best comedy ensemble and best actress for Uzo Aduba.

Kevin Spacey won best actor in a drama series for his conniving congressman Frank Underwood in the political thriller “House of Cards.”

But it was also a big night for recognizing diversity in Hollywood, a much debated topic this awards season, with black actresses taking two of the top acting honors.

In addition to Aduba, Viola Davis won best actress in a drama series as the lawyer in “How to Get Away with Murder.”

“I love you guys so desperately, so much,” Aduba told her fellow cast members as she accepted her first SAG award from her first nomination. “This is not done without you at all.”

“Downton Abbey,” the British period series that airs on PBS, won best drama series cast.

The Screen Actors Guild gave its lifetime achievement award to Debbie Reynolds, the wholesome star of musicals like “Singin’ in the Rain” and a staple of film and television for 66 years.

Full list of winners

MOVIES

Outstanding performance by a cast in a motion picture

Winner: Birdman

Outstanding performance by a male actor in a motion picture

Winner: Eddie Redmayne, The Theory of Everything

Outstanding performance by a female actor in a motion picture

Winner: Julianne Moore, Still Alice

Outstanding performance by a male actor in a supporting role

Winner: J.K. Simmons, Whiplash

Outstanding performance by a female actor in a supporting role

Winner: Patricia Arquette, Boyhood

PRIME-TIME TELEVISION

Outstanding performance by an ensemble in a drama series

Winner: Downton Abbey

Outstanding performance by an ensemble in a comedy series

Winner: Orange Is the New Black

Outstanding performance by a male actor in a drama series

Winner: Kevin Spacey, House of Cards

Outstanding performance by a female actor in a drama series

Winner: Viola Davis, How to Get Away With Murder

Outstanding performance by a male actor in a comedy series

Winner: William H. Macy, Shameless

Outstanding performance by a female actor in a comedy series

Winner: Uzo Aduba, Orange Is the New Black

Outstanding performance by a male actor in a television movie or miniseries

Winner: Mark Ruffalo, The Normal Heart

Outstanding performance by a female actor in a television movie or miniseries

Winner: Frances McDormand, Olive Kitteridge

Reuters

Image ibtimes.com

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