Golden Globe Musings: Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama

Golden Globe nominations for this year will be announced in just a few weeks, so here’s a survey of the contenders and the most likely predictions at this time. Weigh in with your thoughts, and let me know if I’ve left off anyone important. A reminder that the Globes are wildly unpredictable and that it is still a bit early to gauge the reception or awards potential of a number of the so-called “contenders” at this point.

Last year’s nominees:
LEONARDO DICAPRIO, REVOLUTIONARY ROAD
FRANK LANGELLA, FROST/NIXON
SEAN PENN, MILK
BRAD PITT, THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
MICKEY ROURKE, THE WRESTLER

This year’s pool:
Two contenders seem to be firmly locked, Colin Firth (A Single Man) and Jeff Bridges (Crazy Heart), who has just stormed out of the gate as a serious candidate. The third surefire nominee is George Clooney (Up in the Air), and the only question is whether the film will be classified as a drama or a comedy. After that, things get a bit more uncertain. If Clint Eastwood’s new film is a hit, past winner Morgan Freeman (Invictus) should certainly end up here. A relatively unknown actor may get in if his films is popular enough – Jeremy Renner (The Hurt Locker) – though he’ll have to beat out veteran actor Hal Holbrook (That Evening Sun). Also in the running are Johnny Depp (Public Enemies), Viggo Mortensen (The Road), James McAvoy (The Last Station), andSam Rockwell (Moon) and there’s always the possibility that Sharlto Copley (District 9) could break through. The wild card is Brad Pitt (Inglorious Basterds), whose film might be deemed a comedy.

Predicted nominees:
JEFF BRIDGES, CRAZY HEART
GEORGE CLOONEY, UP IN THE AIR
COLIN FIRTH, A SINGLE MAN
MORGAN FREEMAN, INVICTUS
JEREMY RENNER, THE HURT LOCKER