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 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:
Amy Adams (The Fighter)
Helena Bonham Carter (The King’s Speech)
Mila Kunis (Black Swan)
Melissa Leo (The Fighter)
Jacki Weaver (Animal Kingdom)

This category has had two actresses from the same film nominated four out of the past five years, and that trend is likely to continue this year. The film is “The Help,” though the identity of the actresses is still uncertain. Octavia Spencer is a lock, Viola Davis is probable, and Bryce Dallas Howard and Jessica Chastain could theoretically join them as well, though Chastain is also a contender for both “Take Shelter” and “The Tree of Life.” Though it would be astonishing if she earned an Oscar nomination, Melissa McCarthy (Bridesmaids) is a good bet here. Being a French actress almost completely unknown to American audiences, Bérénice Bejo (The Artist) may face an uphill battle, but her performance should speak for itself, and voters are sure to love the film. Shailene Woodley (The Descendants) is younger and fresher than most of the other contenders, but she’ll probably be able to make it in if her film is as well-received as most expect to be. A number of past nominees are also in the running this year for their supporting roles, including Sandra Bullock (Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close), Carey Mulligan (Shame), Vanessa Redgrave (Coriolanus), Naomi Watts (J. Edgar), Kate Winslet (Carnage), and Evan Rachel Wood (The Ides of March).

Current predictions:
Bérénice Bejo (The Artist)
Viola Davis (The Help)
Melissa McCarthy (Bridesmaids)
Octavia Spencer (The Help)
Kate Winslet (Carnage)