Golden Globe predictions
Mexican writer’s film “The Shape of Water” favoured
A new year means a new awards season, which kicks off in earnest Sunday with the 75th annual Golden Globes (NBC, 8 p.m.).
The awards are handed out by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for the best English language films that were shown in the Los Angeles area. Only one category is for best foreign language film.
With no clear front-runners and a potentially wild race to the Oscars in March, USA TODAY predicts who will win.
DRAMA
Call Me By Your Name Dunkirk The Post The Shape of Water Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Will win: “The Shape of Water” Should win: The Post “The Shape of Water” leads the entire Globes field with seven nominations, giving Guillermo del Toro’s Cold War fairy tale the edge in a stacked category. But “The Post” — boasting six total nods — has the total package, including a standout all-star cast led by legends Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks, as well as a whole bunch of timeliness.
COMEDY OR MUSICAL
The Disaster Artist Get Out The Greatest Showman I, Tonya Lady Bird Will win: Lady Bird Should win: Get Out Like “La La Land” last year, “Lady Bird” will benefit from not having to compete with the Oscarready dramas. For laughs plus a little something extra, though, “Get Out” offers biting social satire and a metaphor on racism.
ACTRESS IN A DRAMA
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
Will win/should win: Frances McDormand
Streep and Hawkins are strong contenders because their roles power their projects, but this is McDormand’s season to rule — and to snag her first Globe win out of six nominations. Three Billboards completely hinges on her vengeful mom on a mission, and McDormand gives the character weight, complicated emotions and a wickedly dark sense of humour.
ACTOR IN A DRAMA
Timothee Chalamet, Call Me By Your Name
Daniel Day-Lewis, Phantom Thread Tom Hanks, The Post Gary Oldman, Darkest Hour Denzel Washington, Roman J. Israel, Esq.
Will win/should win: Gary Oldman
Any other year, this would be Chalamet’s trophy to win after his stirring and emotional performance in a coming-of-age story of sexual awakening. Unfortunately for him, Oldman completely transforms, from jowls to paunch, into Winston Churchill, a rousing role that’ll likely let the acclaimed British thespian run the table to Oscar.
ACTRESS IN A COMEDY OR MUSICAL
Judi Dench, Victoria & Abdul
Helen Mirren, The Leisure Seeker Margot Robbie, I, Tonya Saoirse Ronan, Lady Bird Emma Stone, Battle of the Sexes Will win: Saoirse Ronan Should win: Margot Robbie Ronan is the best thing about the universally beloved “Lady Bird,” and that translates into an almost certain win for the Irish actress. Consider, however, the acting acumen needed to pull off playing disgraced skate champion Tonya Harding; Robbie’s success at squeezing dark humour and deep pathos from a real figure is way more impressive.
ACTOR IN A COMEDY OR MUSICAL
Steve Carell, Battle of the Sexes Ansel Elgort, Baby Driver James Franco, The Disaster Artist
Hugh Jackman, The Greatest Showman Daniel Kaluuya, Get Out Will win: James Franco Should win: Daniel Kaluuya Franco effectively captures the strange mannerisms and can-do indie spirit of “The Room” auteur Tommy Wiseau, the HFPA loves to fete major stars, plus he’s just fun to watch. Yet Kaluuya gets the meatier role to sink his teeth into, bringing a huge amount of depth and fear as well as humour to the role of a young black man terrorized by his white girlfriend’s family.
SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Mary J. Blige, Mudbound Hong Chau, Downsizing Allison Janney, I, Tonya Laurie Metcalf, Lady Bird Octavia Spencer, The Shape of Water Will win: Laurie Metcalf Should win: Allison Janney A toss-up between two overbearing movie moms lacking a filter. Given Lady Bird’s popularity, Metcalf might have the edge as the hard-working, opinionated parent of a free-spirited teen, but Janney’s turn as Harding’s chainsmoking, foul-mouthed, abusive mother is pure brilliance.
SUPPORTING ACTOR
Willem Dafoe, The Florida Project
Armie Hammer, Call Me By Your Name
Richard Jenkins, The Shape of Water
Christopher Plummer, All the Money in the World
Sam Rockwell, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Will win: Christopher Plummer Should win: Willem Dafoe Plummer’s 11th-hour reshoot to replace Kevin Spacey and save “All the Money in the World” is already legend, a feat that will fuel an upset over Rockwell and Dafoe.