A view from inside the Golden Globes

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. – Mingling, meandering, drinking and no seat-fillers: The Golden Globes atmosphere is more dinner party than awards show. AP Entertainment Writer Sandy Cohen reports from a stage-right table near the back of the Beverly Hilton ballroom (and everywhere she roams).

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• Brad Pitt was drinking a Heineken; Angelina Jolie a glass of red wine. They were locked, arm-in-arm, the whole time.

• As they posed for a photo together, Robert Downey Jr. told Paul Giamatti that his award was "Very well accepted." "Aw, thanks," Giamatti replied sheepishly.

• Leonardo DiCaprio and "Revolutionary Road" costar Kate Winslet were engrossed in conversation as Colin Farrell chatted up best motion-picture actress winner Sally Hawkins.

• Angelina Jolie sat with Clint Eastwood, Tom Cruise had his arm around Steven Spielberg and Emma Thompson crouched at the table beside Sandra Bullock while Beyonce and Jay-Z shared a laugh with a show worker.

• Heath Ledger's supporting-actor win brought the room to its feet — the first standing ovation of the night.

• TV's it girls — America Ferrera, Christina Applegate and Kyra Sedgwick — sat side by side, then Sally Field sidled over for a chat. Renee Zellweger was led to her seat by her publicist as Laura Dern checked her BlackBerry at the table.

• In line for the ladies' room, Anne Hathaway told a fellow partygoer, "My mom's having a great time, thanks."

• Mickey Rourke held court on the smoking patio, collecting accolades for his performance in "The Wrestler" as he posed for photos with fans and puffed on a Marlboro red.

• Laura Dern's husband Ben Harper shed tears as his wife won for TV supporting actress.

• Clint Eastwood's wife, Dina, was filming with a handheld camera.

• As Steven Spielberg came into the venue, he was congratulated by so many well-wishers that he could hardly make it to his seat. Spielberg was on hand to accept a lifetime achievement award.

• The Jolie-Pitts were fashionably on-time: Brad led Angelina in by the hand with less than two minutes before showtime.

(Agencies)