'Atonement' takes best drama at Golden Globes

BEVERLY HILLS, California -- The first Golden Globe of the night went to Cate Blanchett for her supporting role in "I'm Not There" -- and that pretty much said it all about the awards ceremony Sunday that was wiped out by the Hollywood writers strike.
Because Blanchett wasn't there. Neither was anyone present to accept the best drama award for "Atonement," the final award of the 31-minute, news conference-style fiasco that raced through 25 winners so fast, it was as if the Hollywood Foreign Press Association just wanted to get it over with.
No red carpet, no tipsy stars, and no big winners. "Atonement" led the field with seven nominations but won only twice, tying with three other films for the most honors.
But atonement was also on the minds of awards presenters who hope feuding producers and writers might mend fences so Hollywood can get back to business. After announcing the tragic period romance as best drama winner, the chief overseer of the Globes made a bold promise.
"Rest assured that next year, the Golden Globe awards will be back bigger and better than ever," said HFPA president Jorge Camara. The association was forced to curtail its glitzy televised banquet into a breakneck news conference without a nominee in sight.
"I wish circumstance would allow me to be there," said Blanchett, the supporting actress winner for the Bob Dylan tale "I'm Not There," in a statement after what's sure to go down as one of the strangest awards shows in the annals of Hollywood.