‘Social Network’ dominates at Golden Globes

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. – The Facebook tale “The Social Network” won top honors Sunday at the Golden Globes with four prizes, including best drama and director, solidifying its prospects as an Academy Awards favorite.

Winning the dramatic lead-acting prizes were Colin Firth for the British monarchy saga “The King’s Speech” and Natalie Portman for the psychosexual thriller “Black Swan.”

Lead-acting honors for the Globes’ musical or comedy categories went to Annette Bening for the lesbian-family story “The Kids Are All Right” and Paul Giamatti for the curmudgeon tale “Barney’s Version.”

The boxing drama “The Fighter” earned both supporting acting Globes, for Christian Bale and Melissa Leo.

David Fincher, directing winner for “The Social Network,” said he thought it was strange when “The Social Network” script came to him, since he usually makes dark character studies about misanthropes or films about serial killers. His films include the murder tales “Seven” and “Zodiac.”

“I’m personally loath to acknowledge the kind of wonderful response this film has received for fear of becoming addicted to it, so suffice it to say, it’s been really nice,” said Fincher, whose film also won the Globes for screenplay for Aaron Sorkin and musical score for Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross.

Sorkin, creator of TV’s “The West Wing,” had kind words for Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, played by Jesse Eisenberg in “The Social Network.”

“Mark Zuckerberg, if you’re watching, Rooney Mara makes a prediction at the beginning of the movie. She was wrong. You turned out to be a great entrepreneur, a great visionary and an incredible altruist,” Sorkin said.

While “The Social Network” dominated, it was a night with something for almost everybody, as most key films came away with prizes. The main snub was for the sci-fi blockbuster “Inception,” a best-drama contender that had four nominations but lost them all.

Portman’s win sets her up for a two-woman showdown for best actress at the Feb. 27 Oscars with Bening, who won for her role in “The Kids Are All Right,” which also was named best musical or comedy film.

Among TV winners, “Glee” won three prizes, best comedy and supporting-acting prizes for Jane Lynch and Chris Colfer. “Boardwalk Empire” won two prizes, for best drama and dramatic actor for Steve Buscemi.