Golden Globe Musings: Best Screenplay – Motion Picture

Golden Globe nominations for this year will be announced very soon, 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:
The Big Short
The Hateful Eight
Room
Spotlight
Steve Jobs

The Golden Globes consolidate screenwriting to just one race, grouping together both original and adapted screenplays. It’s usually made up of Best Motion Picture – Drama nominees and sometimes a truly odd choice like “The Ides of March,” “It’s Complicated,” or “Love Actually.” I think the surest things here are Moonlight, Manchester by the Sea, and La La Land. Beyond that, Lion, Loving, Nocturnal Animals, and Fences have the best shot, and Silence may show itself to be a major awards season player with a mention here.

Current predictions:
Fences
La La Land
Lion
Manchester by the Sea
Moonlight