So many categories, so many nominations. Honoring TV and film, the Golden Globes are what it would look like if the Emmys and Oscars had a child. Here are a few quick takes on how Awards Season is shaping up:
The big thing that sticks out this year is recognition of talented women behind the camera. Best Director of a Motion Picture is usually an all boys club, especially at the Oscars. But if the Golden Globes are portent of things to come, that’s all about to change. Women are the majority of nominees this year; Regina King (One Night In Miami), Emerald Fennell (Promising Young Woman), Chloé Zhao (Nomadland). They’re joined by David Fincher (Mank) and Aaron Sorkin (The Trial of the Chicago 7). Nomadland had strong buzz coming out of Toronto International Film Festival, but Trial and Miami are both catching up fast.
Very Nice
Maria Bakalova is nominated for Leading Actress Musical or Comedy for her role as Borat’s daughter in Borat Subsequent Moviefilm. Unknown in America, she was able to grab our attention and show us what she’s got. She’s up against Hollywood heavyweights including Michelle Pfeiffer (French Exit), Rosamund Pike (I Care A Lot), Kate Hudson (Music), as well as Anna Taylor-Joy (Emma), but the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) is known for giving heretofore unknowns an awards season jolt.
Subsequent Moviefilm landed at total of three nominations, with Sacha Baron Cohen being nominated for Actor Musical or Comedy and as a producer for Best Film Musical or Comedy. But he wasn’t done. Cohen is also up for Supporting Actor for his work in Trial of the Chicago 7. In true Borat style, Sacha released a statement thanking the HFPA and saying “I’m so honored—and in the event that we don’t win, I promise to hire Rudy Giuliani to contest the results.” Fans will remember that Giuliani was the honeypot climax of Subsequent Moviefilm.
Double Down
He’s not the only one to hear his name called multiple times. Anna Taylor-Joy is also up for Actress in a Limited Series for her stunning performance in The Queen’s Gambit. Of the two categories, this one is her best chance.
Olivia Coleman could continue her reign as the Queen of Acceptance Speeches. She’s nominated again for Actress in a TV Drama (The Crown) and Supporting Actress in any Movie (The Father).
Mixed Results
I’m surprised at the split decisions on Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. Viola Davis and Chadwick Boseman are nominated for their performances, and rightly so. It’s one of my favorite films of the year and I’m surprised it was passed over in Best Picture and Director categories. That said, I don’t know which nominees I would bump to make room.
Up A Creek
Schitt’s Creek could continue the awards dominance that started with its Emmy sweep. The show got five nominations: Best Musical or Comedy Series, as well as individual nominations for Catherine O’Hara for Actress, Eugene Levy for Actor, Annie Murphy for Supporting Actress, and Daniel Levy for Supporting Actor. Daniel’s character David seems like a lead role to me, but the HFPA is also the same group that considered The Martian to be a comedy.. so there you go.
Missing Meryl
Okay, so my conspiracy theory that Meryl Streep has the HFPA in a hypnotic spell turned out to be wrong. I thought she would be nominated for The Prom for sure and possibly for her performance in the dodgy film Let Them All Talk. Turns out, she got neither.
What is truly baffling is that the only person nominated from The Prom’s all-star cast is James Corden for Actor in a Musical or Comedy. Seriously? He wasn’t even the best actor in that film. That honor goes to Keegan-Michael Key.
The Critic’s Cocktail Recommendation
I’m popping a bottle of Moët & Chandon, the champagne adorning all the star-studded tables at the Globes. While those tables won’t be happening this year, I’ll keep the tradition alive.
Cheers!
Critic's Cocktail 