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:
Jessica Chastain (Molly’s Game)
Sally Hawkins (The Shape of Water)
Frances McDormand (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri)
Meryl Streep (The Post)
Michelle Williams (All the Money in the World)

The frontrunner in this race was supposed to be Glenn Close (The Wife), and then Lady Gaga (A Star is Born) entered it with her film classified as a drama. Melissa McCarthy (Can You Ever Forgive Me?) should be here too, though the argument could be made that her film is a comedy, and she’s also missed out on a few important independent precursors. Viola Davis (Widows) shouldn’t have too much trouble getting nominated also, even if her film doesn’t land in other categories. Yalitza Aparicio (Roma) faces an uphill battle because she’s an unknown making her film debut, but the international nature of the Globes, coupled with the expectedly strong performance by her film, will probably enable her to get in. Other contenders include Saoirse Ronan (Mary, Queen of Scots), Felicity Jones (On the Basis of Sex), Julia Roberts (Ben is Back), Emily Blunt (A Quiet Place), Rosamund Pike (A Private War), Carey Mulligan (Wildlife), Nicole Kidman (Destroyer), and, if voters are feeling creative, Toni Collette (Hereditary). This category tends to offer a surprise or two, so watch out for something wild.

Current predictions:
Yalitza Aparicio (Roma)
Glenn Close (The Wife)
Viola Davis (Widows)
Lady Gaga (A Star is Born)
Melissa McCarthy (Can You Ever Forgive Me?)