There's just no stopping "Slumdog Millionaire."
The uplifting film about an impoverished Indian orphan who enjoys a remarkable run on a game show won the Screen Actors Guild award Sunday night for motion picture ensemble, continuing its incredible run this award season.
The movie itself has become known as a show-business Cinderella story. Soon after "Slumdog Millionaire" finished filming last year, its American distributor, Warner Independent Pictures, was shut down, putting its release in jeopardy. Then Fox Searchlight acquired the film's distribution rights. The film, set in Mumbai, swept the Golden Globes two weeks ago and was nominated last week for 10 Academy Awards. And Saturday, it won the top Producers Guild of America award.
Anil Kapoor, who plays the TV game show host in the movie, accepted on behalf of the cast and exclaimed that it was enough just to be nominated. "But to win this is unbelievable," he said.
The cast members of "Slumdog" weren't the only actors shocked by a win at the 15th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards, which was held at the Shrine Exposition Center. A clearly surprised Meryl Streep ran to the lectern, arms raised, and gave presenter Ralph Fiennes a kiss on the lips after she won for her lead performance as a stern nun in "Doubt."
"I didn't even buy a dress!" said Streep, showing the audience that she was wearing black pants and a black wrap top. "I'm really, really, really shocked."
Sean Penn was greeted with a standing ovation and cheers as he won for lead actor for playing slain gay rights activist Harvey Milk in "Milk." "This is a story about equal rights for human beings," he said when accepting his award.
The late Heath Ledger was honored for his turn as the Joker in "The Dark Knight." Gary Oldman, who costarred in the Batman film, accepted the supporting actor award on behalf of Ledger, who died last January at age 28 from a prescription drug overdose.
"I'm quite emotional," said Oldman. "It is a great honor to be asked to accept this on behalf of Heath. He was an extraordinary young man with an extraordinary talent." "The Dark Knight" also won for movie stunt ensemble, an award handed out before the show.
James Earl Jones was also honored Sunday night with SAG's life achievement award. Forest Whitaker presented the honor to the star of theater, film and television, lauding him as not only a great man but "a king amongst men" and one who could by turns be the voice of CNN, Darth Vader and Simba's warmhearted father in "The Lion King."
