Oppenheimer: Cillian Murphy's film sweeps SAG Awards ahead of Oscar

Oppenheimer continued his domination of awards season by winning several major awards at the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards on Saturday.

Christopher Nolan's film won Best Motion Picture Cast, and Cillian Murphy and Robert Downey Jr. won Best Individual Performance.

Sir Kenneth Branagh accepted the top award on behalf of the cast, saying they were all “grateful, humbled and proud”.

The night was filled with remarks about the actors' strike that brought Hollywood to a standstill last year.

Paying tribute to the Actors Guild of America, Sir Kenneth said: “Thank you for fighting for us. Thanks to the support and sacrifices of all members of Thug Aftra, we stand here better than before. has been completed,” he said.

“We departed from the red carpet and didn't watch a movie that night. We happily moved on in solidarity with your better selves. So this is a full-circle moment for us. '' he told the audience of actors.

“We are grateful and humbled to be a part of Mr. Nolan’s masterpiece, and we are not only proud, but honored to be in your company.”

The film about theoretical physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, considered the father of the atomic bomb, is almost certain to win Best Picture at next month's Academy Awards following its success at the SAG and other commemorations. It becomes.

At the SAG Awards, which does not have a Best Picture award, the Best Motion Picture Cast award is considered the highest honor. Winners at the annual awards ceremony, held in Los Angeles, are chosen by votes from other actors.

Irish actor Cillian Murphy said his victory was “very special to me because it's all about you.”

“Twenty-eight years ago, when I was trying to be an actor, I was a failed musician who felt very much like an intruder, but looking at you all here today, I feel like I'm one of them. I realized something.'' It was really wonderful, thank you very much. ”

Heading into the Oscars ceremony on March 10th, the Best Actor award was seen as a two-horse race, but Murphy's victory gives him a huge lead over his closest rival, Paul Giamatti of The Holdovers. I gained momentum.

Elsewhere, Killers of the Flower Moon star Lily Gladstone was named best actress, giving her own Oscar campaign a major boost.

“This year has been tough for all of us, both in this room and those not in this room. I'm so proud to have come together with all the other unions to get this far. ” she said upon acceptance. speech.

“It's really a gift that we can do this job for a living. To be able to come here and be on set and tell a story, that's a victory. Bringing empathy to a world in need.”

She added: “It’s so easy to distance ourselves, close our hearts and shut down our emotions. [actors] If everyone continues to feel brave, it will bring people out of the shadows and bring them visibility. ”

Gladstone's win removes her from the Best Actress category at the Oscars, following the win for Poor Things' Emma Stone at last week's BAFTAs.

The Holdovers star Da'Vine Joy Randolph was named Best Supporting Actress, making her a near-certain winner at the Oscars after consistently winning awards throughout awards season.

“When I wake up every morning, I'm filled with gratitude for being able to work as an actor,” she said. “In what other profession can a person live so many lives and touch the hearts of people he has never met before?”

He added: “To all the actors still waiting in the wings for their chance, let me say that your life can change in a day. It's not a matter of when or if it will happen, just keep going.” added.

Oppenheimer's Robert Downey Jr. similarly dominated the category, winning Best Supporting Actor.

He described the award as “incredibly meaningful” and asked, “Why me, why now, why things seem to be going my way?” admitted that he is the most likely candidate.

Winners in the television category included Ali Wong and Steven Yeun for Netflix's road rage series “Beef,” and Pedro Pascal for the post-apocalyptic drama “The Last of Us.”

Ayo Edebiri and Jeremy Allen White also received recognition for their roles in the kitchen comedy The Bear, while Elizabeth Debicki won Best Drama Actress for her role as Princess Diana in The Crown.

“The Bear'' was named Best Ensemble Comedy Cast, and “Succession'' won Best Ensemble Drama Cast for its critically acclaimed fourth and final season.

Actor Alan Ruck accepted the award on behalf of the cast, saying, “Not only did we all get to work on perhaps one of the greatest television shows of all time, but we made friends for life.”

The show “In Memoriam” stars Matthew Perry, Harry Belafonte, Sir Michael Gambon, Tina Turner, Angus Cloud, Glenda Jackson, Alan Arkin, Julian Sands, Lance Reddick, Lee Sung-kyun, Tom – Salute to Wilkinson, Andre Braugher, and Chita Rivera. segment.

Streep initially appeared to have accidentally walked straight into the microphone stand, but before explaining to the audience, she didn't have her glasses or the envelope containing the winner.

Two actresses who played her assistants in the 2006 film appeared with envelopes and glasses, and then the three performed a fun sketch featuring some of the film's most famous lines.

Melissa McCarthy, who announced another category, asked Billie Eilish to sign her forehead to show that she's a big fan, and the casts of Modern Family and Breaking Bad reunited, each with their own. It was awarded the Best Comedy Award and the Drama Ensemble Cast Award.

For the first time, the SAG Awards were streamed globally on Netflix, host Idris Elba noted at the beginning of the ceremony.

“Personally, I can't wait to get home and ask Netflix to recommend this show,” the Wire star joked.

He also acknowledged what a “difficult time” it had been for actors during the recent strike, adding, “To everyone who stood up in solidarity and support, and to everyone watching here and to everyone watching at home. , I would like to take a moment to express my respect and gratitude.” . ”

Elba said there was a possibility that actors would be sworn in with acceptance speeches because the ceremony would be streamed rather than broadcast on a television network, but urged that it not be a “full succession level.” .

“Here's a good rule of thumb: don't say anything you wouldn't say in front of Oprah,” he told the audience, which included Oprah Winfrey herself.

Morning Show star Jennifer Aniston and maestro Bradley Cooper presented this year's Lifetime Achievement Award to veteran singer and actress Barbara Streisand.

“All of us in this room and far beyond are inspired by Barbara's magic,” Aniston said. “Barbara not only paved the way for us women, she bulldozed it.”

Streisand joked as she accepted the award: “I knew beforehand it was a really great award to win.”

Reminiscing about her childhood, she said: “I hated reality and wanted to be in movies, even though I knew I didn't look like the other women on screen. My mother said, 'You should learn to type.' “But I didn't listen, and somehow, somehow, it all came true.”

“I'm honored to be in this profession. For a few hours, people can sit in a theater and escape their own troubles. What an idea.”

She paid tribute to her fellow actors and directors, concluding, “I loved living in the magical world of cinema with you.”