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GOLDEN GLOBES PREVIEW: COMEDY/MUSICAL

Will Sweeney Todd dominate the Comedy/Musical categories of the Golden Globes?

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By Joey Magidson

Traditionally the oddest categories at the Golden Globes (and any other precursor award), the Comedy/Musical categories can allow for some unexpected nominations (Will Ferrell for The Producers, anyone?). This year, we have a nice mix of musical films, comedies, and dramedies competing for HFPA's attention. In fact, this is definitely a unique year; when was the last time two films were lauded for comedic portrayals of women getting pregnant out of wedlock? Or for that matter, a musical about a serial killer, or a romp about the Cold War starring Tom Hanks?

Best Picture

This category is traditionally the one that has less of an impact on the Oscar race (the Drama category tends to have the heavy hitters) but this year could be an entirely different story. If I had to name a frontrunner I’d have to go with Sweeney Todd, simply because it features Johnny Depp (who the Hollywood Foreign Press wets themselves over) and is the only real “event” film here. Following closely is Juno, which has a raved about lead performance, a sexy actress in a supporting role who could bring her famous husband with her as well (Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck) and some of the best reviews of the year. Hairspray is a big musical and this is the perfect category for it to show up, so expect it to make an appearance (the good reviews and box office don’t hurt its chances either). Charlie Wilson’s War has the star power to attract a nomination but its early frontrunner status has come back to bite it as of late. Still, I think the HFPA will be hard pressed to ignore it. Knocked Up is the most “pure” comedy in this pack, and its tremendous box office and almost shockingly unanimous raves will give it a great shot at a nomination here. Once is a relatively small film that the Globes might just forget to nominate, despite the adoration it received back when it was released. Falling into the same category of “good but will they think to nominate it” are films like Lars and the Real Girl, The Savages, Waitress, Margot at the Wedding, and Across the Universe. If I had to single out one of these films as having the best shot at a nomination, it would be Lars and the Real Girl. Something about this Capra-like film makes me think that it could be embraced in a way that we’re not expecting.

Predicted 5

Sweeny Todd
Juno
Hairspray
Charlie Wilson’s War
Knocked Up

Alternate: Lars and the Real Girl

Best Actor

Johnny Depp, Johnny Depp, Johnny Depp. Need I say more? After the Demon Barber of Fleet Street, we can look for actors like Phillip Seymour Hoffman in The Savages (unless he slips into supporting for Charlie Wilson’s War), Tom Hanks in the aforementioned and Don Cheadle for his seemingly forgotten yet tremendous performance in Talk to Me. Each actor has the requisite star power and juicy role to be recognized. The final spot is a tricky one to predict. They could either go in the direction of a star making role, which would favor Seth Rogen for Knocked Up or Sam Reilly for Control; or honor a favorite from last year, which would favor Ryan Gosling for his title role in Lars and the Real Girl. Then there’s always the chance that a super celebrity like Jack Nicholson could pop up (and the fact that his film, The Bucket List, made the NBR list helps him out). Gun to my head, I would give the final slot to Nicholson because, frankly, Jack is Jack. My alternate is either Seth Rogen or Ryan Gosling, as they represent different ends of the comedy spectrum, but both excelled in their roles.

Predicted 5

Johnny Depp- Sweeny Todd
Phillip Seymour Hoffman- The Savages
Tom Hanks- Charlie Wilson’s War
Don Cheadle- Talk to Me
Jack Nicholson- The Bucket List

Alternate: Seth Rogen (Knocked Up) or Ryan Gosling (Lars and the Real Girl)

Best Actress

This category is perhaps the toughest one to predict. So many ladies distinguished themselves this year; it’d be incredibly easy to claim that any omissions this year deserved a nod. Leading the pack at the moment has got to be Marion Cotillard, who carries the Edith Piaf biopic La Vie en Rose on her back. The fact that she is foreign, has gotten raves so far, and has shown up in the precursors only strengthens her chances at a nomination, and a win for that matter. Right on her heels is the precocious Ellen Page, who takes the delightful dialogue in Juno and makes it shine. She may be the most memorable character to show up in any film this year and that should be more than enough to get her an invite to this party. Speaking of parties, Amy Adams has had a big coming out party this year with her tremendous turn in the Disney flick Enchanted. Playing a princess only makes it more apt that her fairy tale story should continue on with a nomination here. Laura Linney is one of the most consistent actresses working today, and her work in The Savages is no exception. Just like Phillip Seymour Hoffman has a juicy role in this flick, Linney has one as well, and that should serve her well. The final spot will most likely go to one of the other musical performances by an actress this year. The candidates for the slot are Nikki Blonsky as the perky and plump teen in Hairspray, Helena Bonham Carter as the sounding board for a certain demon barber in Sweeney Todd, and another young lady; Evan Rachel Wood for the Beetles trip Across the Universe. I think the Globes will see fit to reward the newcomer Blonsky with the nod, with Evan Rachel Wood as a possible surprise alternate pick.

Predicted 5

Marion Cotillard- La Vie en Rose
Ellen Page- Juno
Amy Adams- Enchanted
Laura Linney- The Savages
Nikki Blonsky- Hairspray

Alternate: Evan Rachel Wood (Across the Universe)

What are your Golden Globe predictions?

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