The In Memoriam section of the evening was quite moving, it is astounding how many huge stars both young and old we have lost this year. Many classic movie stars from the Golden Age of Hollywood, some of the stars paid tribute to included Shirley Temple, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Peter O'Toole, Joan Fontaine, Paul Walker and Esther Williams. How sad that the list was so extensive.
So a few surprises with the award winners but not many, one of the greatest and probably most grateful wins was Will Poulter who won the EE Rising Star Award voted by the public, his was a heart-warming speech with a great mention of Finding Nemo in there. He was genuinely surprised and affected by his win.
So with Matthew McConaughey mysteriously absent in the Leading Actor category it was not too surprising to see Chiwetel Ejiofor win for his role as Solomon Northup in 12 Years a Slave (though I would have liked to see Leo win it).
Cate Blanchett as she has at every awards show so far and definite frontrunner for the Oscar won the Leading Actress Bafta for Blue Jasmine, no question that she wouldn't win it, starting to think I should have bet money on it. In the most moving moment for me she dedicated her award to the late Philip Seymour Hoffman, ending; "Phil, buddy, this is for you, you bastard, I hope you're proud". She was quite emotional as she left the stage, but it was a fitting tribute to a great talent who will be missed in the Film Industry and worldwide.
Gravity was the big winner of the night with 6 awards including Outstanding British Film and Best Director for Alfonso Cuaron. Although it was 12 Years a Slave which won the Best Film Award.
Steve Coogan was a surprise win for Best Adapted Screenplay with Jeff Pope, beating out more likely films as 12 Years a Slave and The Wolf of Wall Street (which unfortunately and may I say scandalously took home no awards).
A momentous and joyous moment was seeing newcomer Barkhad Abdi winning Best Supporting Actor for Captain Phillips. Going from a limo driver to a Bafta winner in just a year after going to an open audition is absolutely inspiring and should be a lesson to anybody; you can make it if you give it a shot.
Jennifer Lawrence won the Best Supporting Actress Award which I have to admit I was surprised about. I know she won the Golden Globe but after 12 Years a Slave's popularity in Britain I expected Lupita Nyong'o to win it. Though Lawrence is deserving non-the-less. David O. Russell accepted the award on her behalf.
Director Peter Greenaway won the 2014 award for Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema, a look at his work shows how unique a style and vision he has.
Dame Helen Mirren was presented with 2014's Bafta Fellowship by Prince William (jokes about her being his granny did come up). Mirren has won four Bafta's during her career and contributed tremendously to the British Film Industry. She gave an interesting speech, taking the time to make a tribute to inspiring teachers. In doing so the room momentarily, ironically resembled a classroom. Grateful, inspiring and still with a great flair for dramatics she ended her speech with an apt quote by William Shakespeare.
With a fantastic host in the form of Stephen Fry, whose play on words, quirky anecdotes etc. were a highlight of the evening and the expected glitz and glamour from Hollywood this years Bafta Awards were a resounding success.
For the full list of winners see the link below:
BAFTA 2014 - Winners
Up next the Oscars (ridiculously excited for these) on Sunday the 2nd of March.
Don't forget to tune in to my Pre-Oscars article a few days before the big night.
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