Golden Globe Musings: Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Comedy/Musical

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:
Emily Blunt (Salmon Fishing in the Yemen)
Judi Dench (The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel)
Jennifer Lawrence (Silver Linings Playbook)
Maggie Smith (Quartet)
Meryl Streep (Hope Springs)

I’m not sure what to make of this category, and a lot of it depends on category placement. A number of actresses I thought might have placed here are competing in the drama race instead, and a few of the contenders here, such as Scarlett Johansson (Don Jon) and Julia Roberts (August: Osage County), could easily end up classified as supporting. The frontrunner in this race is Meryl Streep (August: Osage County), and I’m not sure who will be able to take her down. Julie Delpy (Before Midnight) is a good bet because her trilogy is so revered, and its final installment earned very positive mentions. Greta Gerwig (Frances Ha) is possible, but I’m not sure the film will remembered, and the same is true of Lake Bell (In a World…). The rest of the contenders I see are all talented actresses in less-than-impressive films: Sandra Bullock (The Heat), Melissa McCarthy (The Heat), and Michelle Pfeiffer (The Family). I feel much more confident about my newest fifth nominee: Amy Adams (American Hustle), whose film just made the switch from drama to comedy.

Current predictions:
Amy Adams (American Hustle)
Julie Delpy (Before Midnight)
Scarlett Johansson (Don Jon)
Julia Roberts (August: Osage County)
Meryl Streep (August: Osage County)