Golden Globe Predictions: Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama

I have a feeling that this is the only category where we won’t see a major surprise. Each of the contenders has a strong shot, and nothing really going against them. Meryl Streep (Doubt) should have no trouble receiving her Globe nomination for film. Anne Hathaway (Rachel Getting Married) just won the National Board of Review award for Best Actress. Kate Winslet (Revolutionary Road) may run into trouble at the Oscars when voters might vote for her performance in “The Reader,” but Winslet is safely classified as a supporting actress for that film here. Kristin Scott Thomas (I’ve Loved You So Long) has received rave reviews; her only detractor is that she stars in a foreign film. Stars like Penelope Cruz (Volver) have been nominated in the past, so she shouldn’t have much trouble. Rounding out the list should be Angelina Jolie (Changeling), whose performance may irk some come Oscar time but should do the trick now. Nipping at the heels of those contenders are Cate Blanchett (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button) and Melissa Leo (Frozen River), who have to fend with a possibly small, negligible role in a big film and an infinitesimally tiny film, respectively. Other possibilities include Nicole Kidman (Australia), Keira Knightley (The Duchess), and Michelle Williams (Wendy and Lucy), but I think the competition should be limited to just those first seven contenders.

Predicted five:
MERYL STREEP, DOUBT
ANNE HATHAWAY, RACHEL GETTING MARRIED
KATE WINSLET, REVOLUTIONARY ROAD
KRISTIN SCOTT THOMAS, I’VE LOVED YOU SO LONG
ANGELINA JOLIE, CHANGELING