Golden Globe Musings: Best Actress 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 anything 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:
Halle Berry (Frankie and Alice)
Nicole Kidman (Rabbit Hole)
Jennifer Lawrence (Winter’s Bone)
Natalie Portman (Black Swan)
Michelle Williams (Blue Valentine)

This category has three sure things and then things get considerably more unpredictable. Meryl Streep (The Iron Lady) is a lock, and Glenn Close (Albert Nobbs), a recent nominee in the TV categories, should be too. Elizabeth Olsen (Martha Marcy May Marlene) is this year’s big breakout, and a snub here would be truly shocking. Michelle Williams (My Week with Marilyn) is a strong possibility, as are Kirsten Dunst (Melancholia) and Keira Knightley (A Dangerous Method). Other actresses whose films may fly too far under the radar are Helen Mirren (The Debt), Anne Hathaway (One Day), Tilda Swinton (We Need to Talk About Kevin), and Rachel Weisz (The Whistleblower). If the film is a hit, Rooney Mara (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) may well join this list.

Current predictions
Glenn Close (Albert Nobbs)
Kirsten Dunst (Melancholia)
Elizabeth Olsen (Martha Marcy May Marlene)
Meryl Streep (The Iron Lady)
Michelle Williams (My Week with Marilyn)