by Nathaniel R (and friends)
Tomorrow we'll have some group commentary fun with the Globe nominations but tonight let's cry ourselves to sleep about the things we won't see celebrated on Globe night. There's still time to say a prayer to your Higher Movie Powers that they won't be as seriously stiffed with SAG or Oscar. So today I asked friends of The Film Experience and team members to tell us about the exclusion that most upset them. Since no one said Jake Gyllenhaal in Stronger (my choice) I'm giving him the lead photo treatment here because he is amazing in that movie -- so vulnerable and lived-in and present and messy. He's one of our best working actors, despite his completely inexcusable lack of awards show love over the years.
In addition to collective snub tears, I've also corralled theories as to what happened with All the Money in the World and what DIDN'T happen with The Big Sick after the jump. Do join the conversation, won't you...
WHAT'S THE EXCLUSION THAT MOST UPSET YOU?
Ilich Mejia: Inverting Sharon Stone's classic Rolex giveaway, Salma Hayek (wrongfully snubbed for her shaky hilarity in "Beatriz at Dinner") should recreate one of her film's most memorable scenes by going to the homes of each member of the HFPA, finding their smartphone, pulling up a photo of whatever "The Leisure Seeker" is, and throwing it right back at them. And yes, she will be billing Helen Mirren for the repair of all the broken screens.
Glenn Dunks: I never expected it, but it’s a shame that final fluid slot in drama actor couldn’t go to somebody outside of the box. What I wouldn’t have given for a surprise nod to Jamie Bell’s tender, unexpected work in Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool, Robert Pattinson in Good Time, or even a cheeky double-nom for Hugh Jackman in Logan (they’re not adverse to giving double props if somebody has had a big year). That Denzel nomination feels like a bit of a waste for the sake of a few bored reaction shots throughout the telecast...
Salim Garami: Mudbound, easily the best movie contending and yet nobody puts respect on Dee Rees' name. We get it, Hollywood, you hate Netflix.
Chris Feil: I don't understand what is not happening for Michael Stuhlbarg's Call Me By Your Name performance (beyond Hammer being pushed to supporting and sucking the air out of the category when there was room for him in Lead). What Stuhlbarg does is simply breathtaking and he's such an underappreciated performer despite working with everyone.
Matthew Rettemund: No Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who anchors the best show on TV? But it's also ridiculous that Call Me By Your Name didn't get director, screenplay or song.
Kim Rogers: Crazy Ex-Girlfriend's Rachel Bloom is giving THE best female performance on television, regardless of genre. She won for the first season, and I totally get that the Globes tend to love their shiny new toys, but it's a TRAVESTY that she's not here, given the incredible material she's been delivering in Season 3. Also, I know it was a long shot, especially given that they lump all the movie supporting performances into one category (I scream WHY every year and no one listens) but I would have died to have seen love for both Tiffany Haddish and Girls Trip.
Nicole Kidman in Top of the Lake (S2)
Nick Davis: Where is Nicole Kidman's Top of the Lake: China Girl nomination in the Actress Who Supported Anyone in Anything category? She's amazing in it, and utterly unlike her nominated turn in Big Little Lies, for which she'll presumably lose to Jessica Biel, because: Globes. I understand this counts as "not reading the room," but Kidman's work in the first two episodes alone is infinitely superior to Dern's uncharacteristically broad and unpersuasive Renata in Big Little Lies.
Loren King: I’m a member of the Boston Society of Film Critics and Sunday we awarded best film honors to Phantom Thread and best director to Paul Thomas Anderson. So I was surprised to see this brooding romantic drama, Anderson’s best film IMO, snubbed for best film and best director by the Globes. Yes, Daniel Day-Lewis got a deserved nomination but not his impressive co-stars, Lesley Manville and Vicky Krieps, which is odd considering Krieps is Luxembourgian actress with many international credits. I was also disappointed that Annette Bening didn’t land a best actress nomination for her exquisite turn as Gloria Grahame in Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool. Yes, it’s a very crowded field this year, but still — a major star playing a Hollywood legend? C’mon, HFPA!
Seán McGovern: The shutting out of BPM in the Foreign Language category. There isn't another film this year that fluctuates between painful and powerful, tender and horny, that is angry in the most righteous way. And the film's plurality of voices united together, slowly almost without noticing focuses on one beautiful story. Some films need the recognition to get their audience and a nomination would have helped this masterpiece.
WHAT'S YOUR THEORY AS TO WHY THE BIG SICK WAS SHUT OUT?
Nick Davis: Not at all clear, because Kumail Nanjiani over Steve Carell is a really easy call.
Guy Lodge: Because it was early and because the film, pleasant as it is, is a bit beige? Every one of the Best Comedy/Musical nominees, love 'em or hate 'em, is more cinematically distinctive.
Jorge Molina: I always think having one category as opposed to Original and Adapted hurts smaller movies. But there is simply no excuse for skipping Holly Hunter.
Chris Feil: With the exception of Kevin Bacon and Maisel, Amazon struck out everywhere - maybe it was behind a bigger miss than the movie itself? And for an international voting group, this was maybe too understated in its profile abroad.
Lynn Lee: The Big Sick lacks movie star glitter - with all due respect to Holly Hunter, who's not really the glittery type. Plus it came out so early.
WHY DID ALL THE MONEY IN THE WORLD SHOW UP WITH SUCH ABUNDANCE?
Guy Lodge: Recency bias ("We just saw this!") and novelty bias ("Hey, wouldn't it be crazy to nominate this uniquely reshot film?") are a powerful combination. Who knows, maybe it's even good.
Jorge Molina: As controversial as Ridley Scott's last-minute entrance in the Director category is, he did pull off a nearly impossible directorial feat by replacing one of his main actors, and I think the HFPA wanted to recognize that. I can almost understand that, but not at the expense of Greta or Jordan.
Deborah Lipp: Ridley Scott is being rewarded for dispensing with Kevin Spacey in
spectacular fashion.