‘The Power of the Dog’, ‘West Side Story’ win top prizes at Golden Globes

‘The Power of the Dog’ and ‘West Side Story’ on Sunday won the top film prizes at an untelevised Golden Globes that was largely ignored by Hollywood, with awards unveiled via a live blog without any of the usual A-list glamour.

Jane Campion’s dark Western ‘The Power of the Dog’ became only the second film directed by a woman to win the best drama prize. The film also won for best director and best supporting actor for Kodi Smit-McPhee.

Steven Spielberg’s ‘West Side Story’ remake claimed top honors for best comedy or musical, as well as lead and supporting actress prizes for stars Rachel Zegler and Ariana DeBose.

Will Smith and Nicole Kidman won the prizes for best actor and actress in film dramas for their turns in ‘King Richard’ and ‘Being the Ricardos.’

But none of the stars were present as usual at the Beverly Hilton, with the ceremony held behind closed doors.

The awards, which are usually closely followed for the immediate boost to box office tallies and Oscar hopes that a Globes win can provide, were hugely overshadowed by a long-brewing row over ethical lapses by the organizers.

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association, a group of 100-odd entertainment writers with links to foreign publications, has been accused of a litany of failings from corruption to racism.

This year, NBC scrapped its broadcast, the HFPA did not offer a livestream, and the event failed to take off on Twitter, where pop culture fans were more preoccupied with the death of US comedian Bob Saget.

Despite the subdued atmosphere surrounding the Globes, three wins apiece for ‘The Power of the Dog’ and ‘West Side Story’ confirm their credentials as contenders for an award season that culminates in March with the Oscars.

Campion’s ‘Power of the Dog,’ starring Benedict Cumberbatch, which tackles toxic masculinity in 1920s Montana and was released by Netflix with a limited theatrical run, has received rave reviews.

Kenneth Branagh, whose black-and-white account of the outbreak of sectarian violence during the late 1960s in ‘Belfast’ is considered a strong award season contender and had jointly topped the nominations, won only for best screenplay.

Andrew Garfield won best actor in a comedy of musical for ‘tick, tick ... Boom!’, which is based on the semi-autobiographical musical of the same name written by ‘Rent’ composer Jonathan Larson.

‘Succession,’ HBO’s tale of about a media tycoon’s warring family, topped the television side with three prizes including best drama.