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

My predictions: 2/5, picking only Kidman and Portman
Who’s missing: Lesley Manville (Another Year), Hilary Swank (Conviction), Naomi Watts (Fair Game), Tilda Swinton (I Am Love)

As soon as I heard Halle Berry (Frankie and Alice) announced as the first nominee, I was worried about who might fill out this category. I haven’t seen Berry’s film yet, to be fair, but I haven’t been all that impressed with her work in the past, including her Oscar-winning role in “Monster’s Ball.” I’ll reserve any further commentary until I see the film. Sadly, the magnificent Lesley Manville (Another Year) misses out on a nomination, as her film gets completely shut out. Michelle Williams (Blue Valentine) gets a nice boost with this nod, as do solo film representatives Jennifer Lawrence (Winter’s Bone) and Nicole Kidman (Rabbit Hole). And then we have the certain frontrunner, Natalie Portman (Black Swan), whose film is the only one among this bunch with a Best Motion Picture nod.

Who could win? Portman
What does this mean for the Oscar race? Sad news for Manville and anyone else who thought they could place into this race, while it’s good news for both Berry and Williams. One of them will have to fall out to make room for Annette Bening, however.