Overview of the Golden Globes and Key Contenders
The Golden Globes kick off the awards season in Hollywood this Sunday, with Paul Thomas Anderson’s “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” leading the nominations as the frontrunner for Best Comedy/Musical and Best Director.
Nominated in nine categories, the film has been praised for capturing the spirit of our polarized times in the United States. It tells the story of an aging revolutionary (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his teenage daughter (Chase Infiniti) on a thrilling journey involving violent left-wing radicals, immigration raids, and white supremacists.
Leonardo DiCaprio’s Chances for Best Actor
DiCaprio is competing against Timothée Chalamet for the Best Actor award, with Chalamet’s recent Critics Choice Award win making him a strong contender for the Oscar. A DiCaprio victory could potentially “slow down Chalamet’s momentum,” according to Deadline’s Pete Hammond.
“Sinners” vs. “Hamnet”
Teyana Taylor could add to “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’s” accolades with a Best Supporting Actress win for her fiery performance. However, she faces tough competition from Amy Madigan (“Miss Sloane”) and Ariana Grande (“Wicked: Forever”).
The Golden Globes categorize comedies separately from dramas, preventing “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” from competing against “Sinners,” its main Oscar rival for Best Picture.
“Sinners” tells the story of deep racial wounds in 1930s segregated America, blending vampire-inspired horror with blues rhythms. It will compete against “Hamnet” for Best Picture, a tragedy exploring the grief of Agnes and William Shakespeare after their son’s death.
Jessie Buckley Favored for Best Actress
Jessie Buckley, who plays Shakespeare’s wife, is the favorite for Best Actress. “The Wound,” with its eight nominations, could also surprise in that category, depicting a painful relationship between a filmmaker father and his two daughters.
Golden Globes’ Transformation and Potential Upsets
The Golden Globes have faced a crisis in recent years following an ethics scandal revealed in 2021 involving racism and corruption among members. The organization has since reformed, incorporating over 200 voters from around the world.
Hammond notes that these new voters seem to favor less commercial box-office hits and are more receptive to internationally acclaimed films from Cannes and Venice.
Potential Upsets in Major Categories
Wagner Moura could surpass Michael B. Jordan (“Sinners”) for Best Actor in a Drama, thanks to his role in “The Secret Agent,” which won him an award at Cannes. Stellan Skarsgård, star of “The Wound,” is favored for Best Supporting Actor.
“The Secret Agent” and “The Wound” will also compete for Best Picture – International, against France’s Oscar representative “Everything Went Wrong” by dissident Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi, recently sentenced to a year in prison by the Islamic Republic following his Cannes Palme d’Or win.
Hammond suggests the Golden Globes might want to send a message by awarding Panahi’s film.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who are the main contenders at the Golden Globes? “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” leads with nine nominations, including Best Comedy/Musical and Best Director. Other strong contenders include “Sinners” for Best Picture and Jessie Buckley for Best Actress.
- How has the Golden Globes’ voting body changed? The organization has incorporated over 200 voters from around the world following an ethics scandal.
- What are some potential upsets at the Golden Globes? Wagner Moura might surpass Michael B. Jordan for Best Actor in a Drama, and Jafar Panahi’s “Everything Went Wrong” could win Best Picture – International, sending a message about support for international cinema.
