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TV COLUMN: GOLDEN GLOBES - PART 1

From Christopher Plummer to Viola Davis, Here Are Predictions of Performance Awards 2012

By: Rachel Heine
January 11, 2012

It's spring, and you know what that means! Awards Season is here. Most actors and filmmakers claim they don’t enjoy the madness of red carpets, swag parties, and awards, but at the very least, movie fans do. When I was young, my mother and I would get dressed up before each one, set up an array of treats and champagne (apple cider), and predict who the winners would be. Some years, there is a clear-cut winner. Last year, The King’s Speech swept up the competition in the final race, and in 2008, Paul Thomas Anderson’s There Will Be Blood and the Coen brothers' No Country for Old Men went neck-and-neck for Best Picture.

 

While the Oscars are the be-all, end-all to some, The Golden Globes are their fun younger sister.  Both TV and Film talents mingle together at the soiree and ask themselves: Can a silent French film beat out the runaway hit, Bridesmaids? Will George Clooney’s trademark grin beat out his fellow sexiest man alive buddy, Brad Pitt? Here are my predictions for The Golden Globes 2012 – Part 1.

 

PERFORMANCES

 

Christopher Plummer Beginners on buzzine.comBest Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture

If Christopher Plummer doesn’t win this award, I will be a very sad fan. He’s up against some heavy hitters this year who could easily swipe the title from him. Shakespeare thespian Kenneth Branagh brought Sir Laurence Olivier back to life in My Week with Marilyn. Viggo Mortensen took an interesting turn as a quieter Freud in A Dangerous Method, and Albert Brooks played a shark-like mafia boss in Drive. Still, Plummer was a revelation as the charming 70-year-old Hal, who comes out to his son and changes his life.

Read Buzzine's Reviews of Beginners, A Dangerous Method, and Drive.

 

Jessica Chastain Octavia Spencer The Help on buzzine.comBest Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture

The Help might dominate the Golden Globes Actress awards this year, with Jessica Chastain and Octavia Spencer as the frontrunners for Actresses in a Supporting Role. The women’s chemistry together and unabashed character acting nearly stole the show from Viola Davis and Emma Stone. Though Shailene Woodley (The Descendants), Berenice Bejo (The Artist) and Janet McTeer (Albert Nobbs) all gave strong performances, it will most likely come down to the two Southern belles of The Help.

More details in Buzzine's Interview with the cast of The Help.

 

Brendan Gleeson The Guard on buzzine.comBest Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical

It would be a miracle if Brendan Gleeson won for his work in The Guard. Gleefully bitter, Gleeson somehow made his character also endearingly lonely. The nuanced performance was at least recognized, but with all the hubbub about The Artist, Jean Dujardin seems a shoe-in. If Ryan Gosling wins, though, I demand he and Rachel McAdams patch things up to recreate that “Best Kiss” performance from a few years back. Please, Ryan. Give the fans what they want!

Read Buzzine's Review of The Guard.


Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical

This is a great year for female performers. Kate Winslet and Jodi Foster went for the deeply neurotic in Carnage, Michelle Williams channeled one of the most iconic movie stars of our time, and Charlize Theron played a detestable, immature writer in Young Adult. That's why it's so unfortunate for those immensely talented actresses that Bridesmaids came out this year. Not only did Kristen Wiig bring a likeable awkwardness to her jealous, down-on-her-luck character, but she also wrote the best female comedy in years. Sorry, ladies, maybe next time!

Read Buzzine's Review of Carnage.

 

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama

While Michael Fassbender’s brave performance in Shame deserves acclaim, this award is going to be between those dreamy hunks Pitt and Clooney. Both play likable characters, unlike Leonardo DiCaprio’s lengthy turn as J. Edgar Hoover or Ryan Gosling’s burning anger in The Ides of March. The real question is: Who will have the better acceptance speech?

Read Buzzine's Reviews of The Descendents and Shame.


Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama

Viola Davis, Viola Davis, Viola Davis. The woman is an absolute powerhouse in The Help. She brings a quiet intensity to the character of Aibileen Clark -- an intelligent maid bogged down by doubt and her surroundings. A film like this can easily become manipulative or saccharine, but her fury and ultimate strength are the real drive behind the film’s success. I expect an articulate, passionate speech from the lovely Davis, and can’t wait to see her win.

More details in Buzzine's Interview with Viola Davis and Emma Stone.

 

Stay tuned for more Golden Globes predictions from Buzzine!