The Golden Globe Nominations Are Here and Naturally We’ve Got Some Opinions
Namely, why was Green Book nominated for anything?
Awards season is officially upon us as of this morning, when the nominations for the Golden Globes were unveiled. Get ready, Film Twitter, because I’m sure we’re all going to have some thoughts on this. There were some surprises and a few major snubs (where is Widows???), but would it really be a nomination announcement if we all weren’t writing hot takes about it?
Yes, for me, the biggest snub is Widows, across the board. The fact that we’re having an awards conversation that doesn’t include Viola Davis, Elizabeth Debecki, and Daniel Kaluuya, as well as director Steve McQueen and co-screenwriter Gillian Flynn, is nonsense. The film is, hands down, one of the best of the year, and the snubs across the board are ridiculous.
Claire Foy scores a nomination as Every Sad Wife in Every Biopic Ever, but none of the actual complex women of Widows could crack the race? Nope. Let’s do this all over again.
The love for Green Book in the directorial and screenwriting categories is also incredibly disheartening. The film has received rightful pushback for being a “feel-good movie” about racism, including anger from subject Don Shirley’s family. (Shirley is portrayed by Academy Award winner Mahershala Ali, who is also nominated for his role). The film also drew controversy when star Viggo Mortenson used the n-word at a press event for it; while some were “worried” about that hurting his awards chances, he also received a nomination for the film.
A more positive surprise? Lin-Manuel Miranda for Mary Poppins Returns. Emily Blunt’s nomination for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy was all but locked the second those early reviews started coming in, but Miranda is a charming surprise, especially since I had not heard much buzz about his part. Maybe I’m just charmed by my affection for both In the Heights and Hamilton, but I’m glad he’s getting some awards love.
We’re also 100% ready for Black Panther setting its sights on the Oscars with a Best Picture nom, and we’re happy to see recognition for If Beale Street Could Talk (we can’t wait to share our review) and Crazy Rich Asians (because come on).
On the television front, The Good Place scored a Best Television Series, Musical or Comedy nomination, as well as some love for Kristen Bell’s zany Eleanor. FX’s Pose also took home two nominations, for Best Television Series, Drama and for Best Actor for Billy Porter. Perennial favorite The Americans scored nominations for both lead performers, and this year’s Emmy winner for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama, Thandie Newton, continues her triumphant awards season lap.
Overall, it’s not the most exciting Golden Globes. There are some really, really terrible choices, and some really, really great ones. We’ll have a better idea of how the Oscar race might shape up once the actual ceremony airs on January 6, with hosts Sandra Oh and Andy Samberg (yes!!! Perfect!!) and once the guild awards start coming in.
You can check out the full list of nominations here, and let us know which of your favorites scored a nom and which got unfairly snubbed in the comments.
(image: Universal Pictures)
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