One of the main reasons the Golden Globes are so much livelier than the Oscars is the Globes’ inclusion of categories for Best Actor and Actress in a Musical or Comedy. Usually the Best Actor in a Comedy race includes at least one major Oscar contender (think Sweeney Todd’s Johnny Depp, Ray’s Jamie Foxx, or Lost in Translation’s Bill Murray), while the Best Actress in a Comedy lineup sometimes seems like a stretch (um, Goldie Hawn for The Banger Sisters?). But this year it’s the opposite: With Mamma Mia’s Meryl Streep, Last Chance Harvey’s Emma Thompson, Happy-Go-Lucky’s Sally Hawkins, and Sex and the City’s Sarah Jessica Parker all in the mix, the comedic Best Actress roster is strong, while there’s a notable dearth of musical men or funny fellas. I’m told Josh Brolin’s reps pushed for a comedic placement for W. but were denied, so he’ll be considered in the Best Actor in a Drama category instead. And word is that Robert Downey, Jr.’s camp wanted to push for a Best Actor nomination for Tropic Thunder (followed by a supporting campaign at the Oscars) but were overruled by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, who decided to include him on their supporting-actor list.
So who might end up making the cut for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy? Certainly Dustin Hoffman, who’s so touching in Last Chance Harvey. I’d also make the case for Paul Rudd, who anchors the current hit Role Models with his signature deadpan delivery, and Ghost Town’s Ricky Gervais, who was brilliant in a sophisticated comedy that nobody saw. The HFPA could go the more obvious route with Get Smart’s Steve Carell or Hancock’s Will Smith, but here’s hoping they’ll think out of the box and recognize another understated humorist: Michael Cera from Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist. We can dream, right?
Here are a few of my video interviews with Rudd, Cera, and Gervais:
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I like the idea of Cera being nominated for “Nick and Norah”, but how about Jason Segel for “Forgetting Sarah Marshall”, Robert Downey Jr. for “Iron Man” as contenders for that category? It also looks likely that Jim Carrey will pick up a nom for “Yes Man” since the Golden Globs (unlike the Oscars) love him.
Finally, my dark horse contender is Mark Wahlberg in “The Happening.” I know it’s technically a drama, but no performance made me laugh out loud more this year (especially the scene where he gets outacted by a plastic plant).
Golden Globes*, not Golden Globs.
I agree with Ceballos about Jason Segel
George Clooney, Burn After Reading
James Franco, Pineapple Express
Sam Rockwell, Choke
Jason Segel and James Franco are absolutely worthy choices.
Seriously, does Colin Farrell have to kick somebody in the crotch for somebody – ANYbody – to notice his hilarious/shockingly real performance in In Bruges???
While I’ve got possibly the BEST film of the year back in your memories, how about some screenplay, original score, and supporting actor (for Brendan Gleeson) love as well?… I can’t be alone here…
Russell Brand for Forgetting Sarah Marshall!! Is it only for actor?! In that case definitely Jason Segel in Forgetting Sarah Marshall.
The Globes love the youngsters, so I wouldn’t be surprised if (don’t laugh) Zac Efron made the cut for “HSM 3″.
Here’s some actors that could qualify for Golden Globes Best Actor In A Comedy Or Musical: James Franco (“Pineapple Express”), Paul Rudd (“Role Models”), Owen Wilson (“Marley & Me”), Vince Vaughn (“Four Christmases”), Jim Carrey (“Yes Man”),
Colin Farrell (“In Bruges”) and Michael Cera (“Nick & Nora’s Infinite Playlist”).
Weak, weak year. The Globes usually don’t go for actors in broad comedies, or else 40-Year-Old Virgin, Wedding Crashers, and Knocked Up would have seen nominations.
Everyone is forgetting Jeff Goldblum. There’s him, Dustin Hoffman, perhaps Jim Carrey, perhaps George Clooney and/or Brad Pitt for Burn After Reading, and perhaps Ricky Gervais.
is Slumdog Millionaire being considered as a drama or comedy/musical? if it’s eligible for comedy, maybe Dev Patel would also stand a chance for Best Actor…
Zac Efron in HSM3? Don’t laugh — he got great reviews, and it could happen.
Possible nomination for Pierce Brosnan in “Mamma Mia!”? The Globes love musical men in the past.
Isn’t Robert Downey, Jr. pretty much a lock for Iron Man? It’s a great comedic performance, and it really isn’t category fraud, for I definitely wouldn’t place that film as a drama…
Dustin Hoffman certainly for Last Chance Harvey and Jim Carrey for Yes Man (they love him and he’s won a gazillion times). Paul Rudd would be cool for Role Models, but it seems a little unlikely…
I would say:
Pierce Brosnan, Mamma Mia! (even though his singing was absolutely atrocious…but I have a feeling this film will do well at the Globes)
Jim Carrey, Yes Man
Robert Downey, Jr., Iron Man
Dustin Hoffman, Last Chance Harvey
and….idk…maybe James Franco for Pineapple Express…he was hilarious…although I’m dead serious I could see Zac Efron making it for High School Musical 3…as weird as that sounds lol
I couldn’t agree more with the Russell Brand comments. He should get a nom-and win!
I couldn’t agree more with the Russell Brand comments. He should get a nom-and win!
I couldn’t agree more with the Russell Brand comments. He should get a nom-and win!