Golden Globe Musings: Best Director – 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:
Mel Gibson (Hacksaw Ridge)
Damien Chazelle (La La Land)
Kenneth Lonergan (Manchester by the Sea)
Barry Jenkins (Moonlight)
Tom Ford (Nocturnal Animals)

This list is usually made up of drama nominees and occasionally includes a comedy director in there too. Christopher Nolan (Dunkirk) is the surest thing, and Guillermo Del Toro (The Shape of Water) should place too. I’d put good money on the visually striking Luca Guadagnino (Call Me By Your Name) and Sean Baker (The Florida Project) to show up, though neither is guaranteed. Steven Spielberg (The Post) is already well ahead of anyone else with the most nominations in this category and stands to earn his twelfth bid if he makes the cut this year. Dee Rees (Mudbound), Joe Wright (Darkest Hour), Jordan Peele (Get Out), Greta Gerwig (Lady Bird), Todd Haynes (Wonderstruck), and Martin McDonagh (Three Billboards, Outside Missouri) are also likely to garner votes.

Current predictions:
Greta Gerwig (Lady Bird)
Luca Guadagnino (Call Me By Your Name)
Christopher Nolan (Dunkirk)
Steven Spielberg (The Post)
Guillermo Del Toro (The Shape of Water)