Golden Globe Musings: Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture

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:
Penelope Cruz (Nine)
Vera Farmiga (Up in the Air)
Anna Kendrick (Up in the Air)
Mo’Nique (Precious)
Julianne Moore (A Single Man)

Like Best Supporting Actor, all I can really do here is go through the list of women I compiled in last week’s Thursday Oscar spotlight and pick out five that will likely be the nominees. At the forefront of the competition is Helena Bonham Carter (The King’s Speech), the only sure thing. After that, I’m somewhat lost because there are so many contenders. Amy Adams (The Fighter) and Melissa Leo (The Figher) could recreate last year’s scenario of two actresses being nominated for the same film. This is probably a good awards body to recognize Miranda Richardson (Made in Dagenham), whereas someone like Jacki Weaver (Animal Kingdom) or Hailee Steinfeld (True Grit) might have to wait until later in the awards season to drum up buzz. I’m tempted to include Marion Cotillard (Inception), though I’ve been seeing her name on fewer and fewer lists lately. Then we have a whole host of contenders with no discernable advantages over any of the others, like Elle Fanning (Somewhere), Barbara Hershey (Black Swan), Ruth Sheen (Another Year), Sissy Spacek (Get Low), and Dianne Wiest (Rabbit Hole). I expect some surprises here.

Predicted nominees:
Amy Adams (The Fighter)
Helena Bonham Carter (The King’s Speech)
Marion Cotillard (Inception)
Melissa Leo (The Fighter)
Miranda Richardson (Made in Dagenham)