A new year is upon us, and so is the Golden Globe Awards. This is one award function that is known for its absurdist logic in clubbing films together and throwing up the most awkward winners. But we can’t really negate the sheen it invites, and how it has become a major yardstick for measuring the Oscars.
So, let the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) go nutty while doling out the globes. We at The Quint are taking guesses in winners after the buzz their films have generated.
Best Motion Picture, Drama
Call Me by Your Name
Dunkirk
The Post
The Shape of Water
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
The Buzz
This is a category that clearly carries loads of suspense since there are no clear frontrunners, keeping the competition wide open. Steven Spielberg’s The Post received unanimous praise after the critics screening, and it looked like the ideal awards bait with its timely message and all-star performances. But the way Mexican auteur Guillermo del Toro’s fantasy romance with a political sweep is garnering heat, The Shape of Water is most likely to float with the winning speech. Besides, it also leads the nominations.
Possible Upset
Since its debut at Sundance, Luca Guadagnino’s sublime romance Call Me By Your Name has been pocketing passionate pieces and teardrops that don’t seem to stop. This one for a beautiful heartbreak.
Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama
Timothée Chalamet, Call Me by Your Name
Daniel Day-Lewis, Phantom Thread
Tom Hanks, The Post
Gary Oldman, Darkest Hour
Denzel Washington, Roman J. Israel, Esq
The Buzz
This category is an inciting battle between two acting veterans: Daniel Day-Lewis and Gary Oldman. Day-Lewis is undoubtedly the greatest actor of our time, and Phantom Thread’s soaring applauses predict an ideal farewell speech. On the other hand, Oldman’s turn as Winston Churchill with its showboating and prosthetic-assisted makeover is tailor-made for acting wins. But Oldman is known for being critical of HFPA, even though he’s long overdue for the award. In the clash of the two favourite old-timers, it looks like a mangénue will slip through the cracks. Timothée Chalamet’s performance as a boy coming to terms with his self, sexuality and heartbreak in Call Me by Your Name has been one of the key highlights of 2017 movie calendar. And the boy is on a winning spree, taking home more than a dozen acting awards. So we’re betting on Elio.
Possible Upset
The above is upsetting enough to wreck the nerves. No more please.
Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama
Jessica Chastain, Molly’s Game
Sally Hawkins, The Shape of Water
Frances McDormand, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Meryl Streep, The Post
Michelle Williams, All the Money in the World
The Buzz
Meryl Streep, the woman who gave a trumping speech last year, was greeted with standing ovation from every corner of the world. She also has nine globes in her kitty, plus she stars in a politically relevant film. But our gut feeling says this is the year of Frances McDormand whose role of a mother dealing with grief, trauma and revenge in post-Trump America has everyone eating out her hands. About time, she delivers something explosive on stage, just like her Mildred Hayes’ wicked words.
Possible Upset
Considering how hot The Shape of Water is, it might carry Sally Hawkins along to the winning shore.
Best Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy
The Disaster Artist
Get Out
The Greatest Showman
I, Tonya
Lady Bird
The Buzz
Out of the five in the category, the fight to the finish is most likely between Get Out and Lady Bird. Both are strong Oscar contenders, and critical favourites. Get Out is the perfect choice for its biting satire on racism and liberal values, but the dice seems to be rolling in favour of Lady Bird. The mother-daughter story has spread smiles all around, and with the #MeToo movement still in sight, Greta Gerwig’s autobiography, in all likelihood, will end with a charming speech.
Possible Upset
Nope.
Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy
Steve Carell, Battle of the Sexes
Ansel Elgort, Baby Driver
James Franco, The Disaster Artist
Hugh Jackman, The Greatest Showman
Daniel Kaluuya, Get Out
The Buzz
James Franco has imbibed the eccentric mannerisms of cult filmmaker Tommy Wiseau not only to act, but also to direct the drollest film of the year. An inspiring look at failure and creative pursuit, Franco’s role edges out everyone else in this category with its funny streak. Plus, Hollywood loves movies about Hollywood.
Possible Upset
Very unlikely, but Daniel Kaluuya might just get it. We wouldn’t complain at all.
Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy
Judi Dench, Victoria and Abdul
Helen Mirren, Leisure Seeker
Margot Robbie, I, Tonya
Saoirse Ronan, Lady Bird
Emma Stone, Battle of the Sexes
The Buzz
Saoirse Ronan is locked in for this category with Lady Bird flying high. This, despite the presence of troupers like Judi Dench and Helen Mirren. Clearly the force is with Ronan.
Possible Upset
Margot Robbie is the only conceivable threat to Ronan’s crown. In the biopic of a controversial figure, Robbie embodies her with empathy and wit. This is the kind of role Oscar voters may love, but not something that often catches the Globes’ fancy.
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
Willem Dafoe, The Florida Project
Armie Hammer, Call Me by Your Name
Richard Jenkins, The Shape of Water
Christopher Plummer, All the Money in the World
Sam Rockwell, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
The Buzz
As the buzz goes, HFPA has bestowed many nominations to All the Money in the World despite only watching a rough cut. Christopher Plummer looks like he was born to play Getty Senior notwithstanding the last-minute addition. Its a gigantic study of greed and self-immolation, and Plummer milks it to the last drop. In all likelihood, HFPA will honour Ridley Scott’s wondrous skillset by exalting his octogenarian lead.
Possible Upset
Willem Dafoe has been deemed the Oscar frontrunner in this category, and he is the only one who is capable of upsetting the cloying expectations.
PS: Can we please give it to Hammer?
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
Mary J Blige, Mudbound
Hong Chau, Downsizing
Allison Janney, I, Tonya
Laurie Metcalf, Lady Bird
Octavia Spencer, The Shape of Water
The Buzz
It’s a face-off between Allison Janney and Laurie Metcalf. Both TV luminaries play imperious mothers in mother-daughter stories with striking intensity. It’s too close a race to predict, but the edge seems to be in favour of Janney, for she has a flashier role in comparison to Metcalf.
Possible Upset
Implausible, but don’t ignore the might of Mary J Blige. She’s a star.
Best Director, Motion Picture
Guillermo del Toro, The Shape of Water
Martin McDonagh, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Christopher Nolan, Dunkirk
Ridley Scott, All the Money in the World
Steven Spielberg, The Post
The Buzz
This category ignored Jordan Peele and Greta Gerwig, almost as an invitation for a potential write-in campaign. Christopher Nolan was hot during Dunkirk’s release, but the steam has dissipated now. Guillermo del Toro, on the other hand, has gained momentum with each passing day for his visually distinctive political fable. In all probability, the Mexican genius is ready to sink everyone else’s hopes of winning this year.
Possible Upset
Mr Scott may surprise everyone with his win, and HFPA may just pat itself on the back for giving it to a master who still carries his Midas touch.
Best Screenplay, Motion Picture
The Shape of Water
Lady Bird
The Post
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Molly’s Game
The Buzz
HFPA’s weakness for Aaron Sorkin is well-known, so he can never be counted out. But this looks like the time of Martin McDonagh who has addressed the cancers of American society with a convinced grace. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri is also better located in the critical map. So, McDonagh it is.
Possible Upset
Greta Gerwig, who else?
Best Motion Picture, Animated
The Boss Baby
The Breadwinner
Coco
Ferdinand
Loving Vincent
The Buzz
Coco has already composed its winning melody, don't you know?
Possible Upset
Impossible.
(The writer is a journalist, a screenwriter, and a content developer who believes in the insanity of words, in print or otherwise. He tweets @RanjibMazumder).
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