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:
Jennifer Aniston (Cake)
Felicity Jones (The Theory of Everything)
Julianne Moore (Still Alice)
Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl)
Reese Witherspoon (Wild)

The surest thing in this race is Brie Larson (Room), and then we get into category confusion and multiple actresses from just one film. The last time two actresses from the same film were nominated was 2002, when Nicole Kidman and Meryl Streep were both recognized for “The Hours.” Now, Rooney Mara (Carol) and Cate Blanchett (Carol) are both contending, and Blanchett might also be nominated for “Truth.” Earlier in awards season, Julianne Moore (Freeheld) and Ellen Page (Freeheld) looked like good bets, but now it seems they’ve been all but forgotten. Instead, new contenders who have emerged include Saoirse Ronan (Brooklyn), Alicia Vikander (The Danish Girl), who was previously expected to go supporting, and Carey Mulligan (Suffragette). Another revered actress who might show up later in awards season is Charlotte Rampling 45 Years).

Current predictions:
Cate Blanchett (Carol)
Brie Larson (Room)
Rooney Mara (Carol)
Saoirse Ronan (Brooklyn)
Alicia Vikander (The Danish Girl)