The British literary adaptation "Atonement" led the nominations for the 65th annual Golden Globe Awards this morning. The greatest suspense, however, surrounds how, and even if, the Globe awards show will go forward under the continuing cloud of the writers' strike.
In a notable shift reflecting the wide-open field for end-of-the-year movie awards contenders this year, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association broke with tradition and nominated seven films in the best picture (drama) category, rather than five. They are: "American Gangster," "Atonement," "Eastern Promises," "The Great Debaters," "Michael Clayton," "No Country for Old Men," and "There Will Be Blood."
Nominees for best motion picture (musical or comedy) are "Across the Universe," "Charlie Wilson's War," "Hairspray," "Juno," and "Sweeney Todd."
In addition to its best picture nod, "Atonement," based on Ian McEwan's acclaimed novel about the long consequences of a young girl's lie, was nominated for best actress (Keira Knightley), actor (James McAvoy), supporting actress (Saoirse Ronan) director (Joe Wright), screenplay, and score.
The second most nominated film is "Charlie Wilson's War," Mike Nichols upcoming film about a U.S. Congressman who funneled arms to Afghani guerillas fighting the Soviets in the 1980s. It was nominated in five categories: best motion picture (musical or comedy), best actor (Tom Hanks), supporting actor (Philip Seymour Hoffman), supporting actress (Julia Roberts), and screenolay (Aaron Sorkin).
Other multiple nominees for the Golden Globes, to be awarded on January 13, 2008 by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, include the Coen brothers' "No Country for Old Men" (best motion picture, drama; best supporting actor for Javier Bardem; best director; best screenplay), "Michael Clayton" (best motion picture, drama; best actor for George Clooney; best supporting actress for Tilda Swinton; best supporting actor for Tom Wilkinson), and Tim Burton's Stephen Sondheim adaptation "Sweeney Todd" (best motion picture, musical or comedy; best actor for Johnny Depp; best actress for Helena Bonham Carter; best director).
The critically acclaimed teen-pregnancy comedy "Juno" was nominated for best motion picture (musical or comedy) as well as for Diablo Cody's script and Ellen Page's lead performance. Other relative newcomers nominated for best actress in a musical or comedy were Nikki Blonsky for "Hairspray" (which received three nominations overall) and Amy Adams of the hit Disney comedy "Enchanted." In one of the few clear oversights, "Enchanted" was not nominated in the best motion picture (musical or comedy) category.
Other notable nominations: Cate Blanchett received two nods, for best actress (drama) as Queen Elizabeth I in "Elizabeth: The Golden Age" and for best supporting actress as Bob Dylan in "I'm Not There". Similarly, Hoffman was feted in both the best actor (musical or comedy) category for his portrayal of a troubled sibling in "The Savages" and for his supporting role as a rogue CIA agent in "Charlie Wilson's War."
While the Golden Globes are often considered a predictor of the subsequent Academy Awards, they more often serve to clarify the field of contenders. In recent years, the Oscar for best film has gone to a different movie than either of the Globe winners.
