The nominations for the 2021 Golden Globes have been announced, and we have questions for the Hollywood Foreign Press Association:
— The frothy and silly Netflix series “Emily in Paris” and star Lily Collins were nominated, but the frothy and silly but also badass and gorgeous and brilliant and infinitely more entertaining Netflix series “Bridgerton” and its stars Rege-Jean Page and Phoebe Dynevor were overlooked? Please explain.
— Regina King was nominated for best director for her feature debut, “One Night in Miami,” but the film didn’t get a nod. How does that work?
— In addition to slighting “One Night in Miami,” how could you possibly ignore best picture candidates “Judas and the Black Messiah,” “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” and “News of the World”?
— Have you not seen “I May Destroy You”? That’s about the only explanation for that omission.
— Have you not seen “Yellowstone”? That’s about the only explanation for THAT omission.
— NOTHING for Spike Lee’s searing Vietnam War epic “Da 5 Bloods”? Not even Delroy Lindo’s career-crowning performance? As the millennials say: SMH.
— Who are you guys again?
I’ll tackle that last one. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association has about 90 members, with the requirements stipulating one must have a primary residence in Southern California, attendance in at least four monthly general membership meetings and at least four articles OR photographs published per year in outlets outside the United States. There was a time when the Globes were considered an industry joke and in some years weren’t even televised. But thanks to the star-studded, alcohol-fueled, entertaining ceremonies on NBC over the last 20+ years, the Globes have solidified their spot on the pop culture landscape.
As is the case nearly every year, the 2021 nominations featured a myriad of predictable selections and more than a few surprises. Sometimes the HFPA misses the boat more than Leo and Kate at the end of “Titanic,” but occasionally they come through in surprisingly admirable ways, e.g., with the deserved best director nominations for Chloe Zhao (“Nomadland”), Regina King (“One Night in Miami”) and Emerald Fennell (“Promising Young Woman”). Prior to this announcement, only five female directors (Barbra Streisand, Jane Campion, Sofia Coppola, Ava DuVernay and Kathryn Bigelow) had received nominations in the entire 77-year history of the awards.
Kudos as well to the HFPA for nominating “Hamilton” for best picture (comedy or musical), with the show’s creator/star Lin Manuel-Miranda also getting a nod. Yes, “Hamilton” is a stage show, and yes, the Disney+ production is a “concert film,” but the filmmakers shot over a three-day period, using nine cameras and more than 100 microphones — and reshot 13 numbers using cranes and a Steadicam and specially mounted cameras. It’s a movie. The Oscars say it’s not a movie, but the Globes got it right.
It always cracks me up when there’s talk of awards show “snubs,” as if the voting members huddled up and said, “Oooh I don’t care for THAT star, let’s ignore her in the hallways!” It’s particularly amusing to see some social media buzz about Meryl Streep getting shut out this year, despite her typically great work in “The Prom” and “Let Them All Talk.” Given Streep has some 32 Golden Globe nominations (and nine wins, including a lifetime achievement award) already, something tells me she isn’t feeling snubbed today.
On the other hand: How could the HFPA snub Zendaya’s work in “Malcolm & Marie”? Not to mention Tom Hanks in “News of the World,” Sophia Loren in “The Life Ahead,” Chris Rock in “Fargo,” LaKeith Stanfield for “Judas and the Black Messiah” …
The Globes are always going to Globe. That’s what makes them so ridiculous — and so entertaining.
