Barbie, the sensation of the silver screen and the highest-grossing film in 2023, has emerged as the dominating force in the nominations list for the 81st Golden Globe Awards.
Greta Gerwig's vibrant and satirical Barbie film has secured a staggering nine nominations, encompassing categories such as best picture (comedy or musical), screenplay, directorial excellence, leading actress for Margot Robbie, and supporting actor for Ryan Gosling. Additionally, the movie has earned three separate entries in the original song category.
This recognition marks a significant milestone for Gerwig, as Barbie stands as her first nomination in the directing category, overcoming prior snubs for Lady Bird and Little Women. Barbie's nominations have also propelled the film to become the second most-nominated movie in Golden Globes history, tied with 1972’s Cabaret and following closely behind Nashville, which secured a record 11 nominations.
Notably, Barbie joins the nominees for a newly introduced award recognizing blockbuster films. Among these nominees are Oppenheimer, the film that formed an unexpected alliance with Barbie, contributing significantly to the summer box office success. Other contenders in this category include sequels to John Wick, Guardians of the Galaxy, Spiderman, and Mission: Impossible. Taylor Swift’s concert film and the Super Mario Bros animation have also made the cut.
Christopher Nolan’s grand biopic of atomic scientist Robert Oppenheimer closely follows Barbie with eight nominations, including acknowledgments for leading actor Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt as supporting actress, and Robert Downey Jr for supporting actor.
Yorgos Lanthimos's eccentric fantasy, Poor Things, has surpassed expectations with seven nominations, sharing the spotlight with Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon.
The list of nominees is diverse and includes standout performances such as Emma Stone’s leading role in a comedy or musical for Poor Things, Lily Gladstone’s nomination in the equivalent drama category, and an eclectic mix of performances vying for the top spots in various categories.
Paul Giamatti is considered the frontrunner for the male category with his portrayal as a curmudgeonly teacher in Alexander Payne’s 1970-set comedy The Holdovers, amidst tough competition from other notable actors.
As the anticipation for the Golden Globes ceremony builds, British productions have also made a significant mark in the television nominations, with Succession and The Crown leading the pack.
Despite the Golden Globes' historical significance, its influence on other prestigious awards like the Oscars remains a topic of debate, as past dominant films at the Globes faced Oscar snubs.
This year’s ceremony marks a shift as it moves from NBC to US network CBS and follows a substantial reorganization, signaling a new chapter after the dissolution of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) due to various controversies. The revamped Globes, now under new leadership, aim for a more accountable and diverse representation in its membership.
With the ceremony set for January 7th, just before the commencement of Oscar voting, all eyes are on the Golden Globes to witness which films and performances will claim victory amidst this diverse and competitive field.
