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At one point, it appeared that the entertainment industry was ready to distance itself from the Golden Globes and the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which administers them. The organization had long been mocked, but it wasn’t until 2021, with the release of damaging revelations, that the teasing turned into criticism and allegations of ethical misconduct and lack of diversity, causing chaos for the awards.
However, the entertainment industry operates as a business, and it appears that after much concern and adjustment, they have been welcomed back with a larger, younger, more diverse voting committee and a change in network from NBC to CBS. This year’s extravagant awards show, happening on Sunday, is expected to heavily feature Barbenheimer, but with a new group of voters, it could be an unpredictable evening.
Best film (drama)
It seems that the most highly anticipated race of the night will be between two movies, both directed by well-known filmmakers, that depict morally questionable men during tumultuous periods in American history. While Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon may currently have more buzz and a stronger narrative, it is possible that Oppenheimer could come out on top due to its longer buildup, cultural relevance, and star-studded cast. This would certainly make for attention-grabbing headlines on Monday. In the past, a movie like Maestro would have checked all the boxes for the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, but it appears that it has received more admiration than outright love. Other less expected Globe nominees, such as Past Lives, Anatomy of a Fall, and The Zone of Interest, are noteworthy simply for their inclusion, with the nomination itself being considered a win.
Will win: Oppenheimer
Deserving of victory: Previous Experiences
Nomination-worthy: All Strangers Among Us
Best actress (drama)
In the past, we may have expected someone like Annette Bening or Carey Mulligan to win at the Globes, as they are well-known names. However, the newer voting body is more likely to follow critical acclaim and give the award to someone lesser-known, like Lily Gladstone. Gladstone delivers a powerful and moving performance in Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon and has been consistently praised on the campaign trail since the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) rules have changed. Her win would reflect the Globes’ focus on diversity and international talent, as she is one of three nominees who speak multiple languages in their films, alongside Greta Lee and Sandra Hüller. It is unlikely that anyone else has a chance of beating her, with Hüller being a distant possibility and Cailee Spaeny as the outsider. A win for Gladstone would solidify her position as a frontrunner for the Oscars.
The winner is Lily Gladstone for her role in “Killers of the Flower Moon”.
My pick for Best Actress would be Sandra Hüller for her role in Anatomy of a Fall.
Jessica Chastain should have been nominated for her outstanding performance in Memory.
Best actor (drama)
In the best actor category, two nominees stand out as potential winners of the Globe: Bradley Cooper for his role as Leonard Bernstein in Maestro, and Cillian Murphy for his lead performance in Oppenheimer. While Cooper’s portrayal of an industry celebrity may appeal to the Globes’ preference for A-listers, the lukewarm reception to the film may hinder his chances. On the other hand, Murphy’s commanding performance and the film’s broader appeal make him a slightly more likely victor, especially considering its high number of nominations. Other deserving nominees like Colman Domingo and Leonardo DiCaprio are not expected to win, while Andrew Scott’s unexpected but well-deserved recognition is a pleasant surprise. The inclusion of Barry Keoghan for his role in Saltburn is evidence of the Globes’ tendency to make surprising choices.
Possible rewording: The winners are predicted to be Cillian Murphy and Oppenheimer.
Deserving of victory: Andrew Scott, Everyone as Unknowns
Alden Ehrenreich should have been a nominee for Fair Play.
Top movie (comedy or musical)
This category has been the subject of mockery for the HFPA in the past, with previous nominees such as The Tourist, Burlesque, and Music. However, this year’s nominees are surprisingly strong and many are also expected to be nominated for the Best Picture Oscar. While some may argue for more unconventional choices like Poor Things or substantial films like The Holdovers, many still believe that the obvious choice, Barbie, will come out on top. Its popularity and the HFPA’s decision to separate comedy and drama categories make it a strong contender. With the most nominations of the night and being the highest-grossing film of last year, a win for Barbie would also make Greta Gerwig one of only four female directors to have won in this category. Other potential contenders like Wonka or Air seem less likely to win, but American Fiction, with its combination of social commentary and family drama, could be a surprise spoiler.
Will win: Barbie
Deserving of victory: The films that have remained popular or successful over time.
Could have been selected: You Caused Me Emotional Pain.
Top female performer in a comedy or musical
Emma Stone’s bold performance in Yorgos Lanthimos’s unconventional comedy, Poor Things, is a win that strikes a balance between the traditional and modern preferences of the HFPA. Stone, a renowned Hollywood A-lister, has been a favorite of the Globes for quite some time (she has already won a Globe and this year received her eighth nomination for her exceptional work in The Curse). However, the unique and international nature of Poor Things also appeals to the newer members of the voting body. While Margot Robbie may be considered her only real competition, the dominance of Barbie-related nominations may result in her win. Other contenders such as Natalie Portman, Jennifer Lawrence, Fantasia Barrino, and surprise pick Alma Pöysti are unlikely to surpass Stone.
The winner is Emma Stone for her role in Poor Things.
My pick for the award would be Natalie Portman, as she would be a deserving recipient.
Possible rewording:
– “Eve Hewson and Flora and Son should have been nominated.”
– “It’s a shame that Eve Hewson and Flora and Son were not nominated.”
(Note: It is unclear who or what “Flora and Son” refers to, so it is difficult to provide an accurate rewording without more context.)
Top performer (funny or musical)
This category has two strong contenders who both have a good chance of connecting with voters. Paul Giamatti, who has previously won two Golden Globes for television, has been out of the running for a while (his last nomination was 12 years ago). However, if he were to win for his film role in The Holdovers, it would likely be due to his reunion with Alexander Payne, the director of Sideways. Giamatti’s performance is one of the main reasons why the film has been well-received, but he faces tough competition from another beloved actor in a popular comedy. Jeffrey Wright, who won a Golden Globe for television in 2004, is a standout in American Fiction. While his role may not have as many emotional moments as Giamatti’s, this may not matter as much in the comedy category. The film as a whole is a better fit for this category. There are no other notable contenders, with Nicolas Cage, Timothée Chalamet, Joaquin Phoenix, and especially Matt Damon falling far behind.
The winner will be Jeffrey Wright, an American author of fiction.
Should win: Paul Giamatti, The Holdovers
Jamie Foxx should have been nominated for his performance in The Burial.
Best supporting actress
Da’Vine Joy Randolph is the clear front-runner and most deserving winner for her role in the heartwarming comedy-drama The Holdovers, having already received critical acclaim. Despite other well-known names in the running, such as previous winners Jodie Foster, Emily Blunt, Rosamund Pike, and Julianne Moore, Randolph is still the top choice. The only potential competition for Randolph is Danielle Brooks, also a first-time nominee at the Globes, for her performance in The Color Purple. However, it seems unlikely that Brooks’ late entry will sway the decision, making Randolph the likely winner.
The winner will be Da’Vine Joy Randolph for The Holdovers.
Deserving of the win: Da’Vine Joy Randolph for her role in The Holdovers.
Rachel McAdams should have received a nomination for her role in “Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret.”
Best supporting actor
Despite the numerous accolades received by Charles Melton for his role in May December, it is possible that he may not be the clear winner due to potential disagreement from larger voting groups. On the other hand, if Robert Downey Jr were to win, it would not only recognize his exceptional performance in Oppenheimer, but also his significant commercial impact on the film industry as a leading actor in superhero movies. While Melton remains strong competition, it is possible that a revamped voting body may favor his performance and story over Downey Jr’s (who has won three Golden Globes in the past). Some may argue for Ryan Gosling, who many viewed as the standout in Barbie, but he and fellow nominees Mark Ruffalo and Willem Dafoe may be seen as too broadly humorous compared to more serious performances. Despite his deserving role in Killers of the Flower Moon, Robert De Niro may still be considered an outsider.
The winner will be announced as either Robert Downey Jr or Oppenheimer.
My pick for the winner is Robert De Niro for his role in “Killers of the Flower Moon.”
Potential nominee: Dominic Sessa, The Holdovers
Best director
Although the main awards of the evening, the Barbie and Oppenheimer, are typically categorized by genre, the best director award may be the most competitive and unpredictable. Greta Gerwig’s transformation of a seemingly unremarkable branded project into a cultural sensation could sway voters, but others see Christopher Nolan’s biopic, for which he has received six nominations, as his masterpiece and a well-deserved recognition for his previously overlooked career. Despite Martin Scorsese’s potential as a spoiler for his film Killers of the Flower Moon, his past wins (including one for Hugo) may lead voters to spread the accolades. It is noteworthy to mention the achievements of first-time director Celine Song with Past Lives and Yorgos Lanthimos, who was previously snubbed for The Favourite. However, both Song and Lanthimos, as well as Bradley Cooper for Maestro, are unlikely contenders for the award.
Expected winner: Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer
Deserving of the prize: Celine Song for the play “Past Lives.”
Andrew Haigh, creator of All of Us Strangers, deserved a nomination.
Source: theguardian.com
