17 Jan 2011

The Social Network, Glee dominate Golden Globes

10:12 pm on 17 January 2011

The Social Network took top honors Hollywood's first big event of the year, The Golden Globe Awards.

The film was named best film drama, winning additional prizes for its direction, screenplay and music at a ceremony in Los Angeles on Sunday.

The Social Network, now a favourite to do well at the Oscars, tells the story of how Facebook started, including the legal tussles behind the scenes, the BBC reports.

Glee, about a high school musical group, won best TV musical or comedy, as well as two supporting actor prizes.

Britain's Colin Firth took the award for best actor in The King's Speech for his portrayal of the stammering monarch George VI.

Natalie Portman, who stars in the thriller Black Swan, was named best actress.

Portman plays a ballet dancer who wins the lead role in Swan Lake, but slowly breaks down under the pressure of rivalry from another ballerina.

The Kids are All Right - about a lesbian couple reunited with the biological father of their teenage children - was named best musical or comedy, winning an additional prize for star Annette Bening.

Batman star Christian Bale picked up the first prize of the evening, winning best supporting actor for his role in The Fighter.

Melissa Leo won best supporting actress for playing his mother in the fact-based boxing film.

Hollywood veteran Robert De Niro received a warm welcome as he collected a lifetime achievement award from actor Matt Damon.

Winners in the film categories at the Golden Globes often go on to receive further accolades at the Academy Awards, to be held this year on 27 February in Los Angeles.