A Golden Globes Surprise
Wednesday, January 1, 2020 at 9:00PM 
The Golden Globes are always good for a surprise. Aaron Taylor Johnson winning best supporting actor for Nocturnal Animals (2016). Amy Adams winning for Big Eyes (2014) when everyone expected Emily Blunt to win because she was in a musical; Into the Woods (2014). Just last year Glenn Close winning over Lady Gaga changed the best actress race.
But perhaps the biggest and happiest surprise was Isabelle Huppert winning best actress in a drama for Elle (2016). That year everyone thought the competition was between Emma Stone for La La Land and Natalie Portman in Jackie. And there they were in separate categories at the Globes and were each expected to win...
Best Actress in a musical was announced earlier in the evening and Stone won. Everything was going according to script. Then Leonardo DiCaprio came on stage to present best actress in a drama and called out Huppert’s name. The shock! The surprise! Huppert’s breathy overwhelmed speech. It was a moment to cherish and remember. It changed the best actress race, Portman was no longer vying for the win despite winning the Critics Choice earlier in the year; and Huppert became a more plausible Oscar nominee despite being ignored by SAG.
This year we are hoping for a surprise with a similar scenario to Huppert’s. An actor from a film not in English; and who’s won many critics’ prizes including NYFCC and LAFCA but was ignored by SAG, surprises and upends the category they are in. Antonio Banderas; it’s your moment. We are rooting for you.
Who do you hope surprises with a win on Sunday?
Reader Comments (35)
I’m not sure how much of a surprise this would be, but I could totally see Eddie Murphy winning. I’m assuming Leo and Taron Egerton have the edge in that category since they’re both also SAG nominated, but giving it to Eddie Murphy is something I could totally see the Globes doing.
I could also see Bong Joon-hoo pulling off an upset in the Best Director category (and I’d love that to happen). Again, that wouldn’t be TOO shocking, but it would definitely make that race a lot more exciting.
I think Charlize Theron is taking Best Actress in a Drama, and in a just over the month she'll have her second Best Actress Oscar.
And sorry Murtada... I think it is Joaquin's to lose (at least at the Globes).
My life peaked when Glenn won last year. I expect nothing more than boredom until my dying day.
the girl from Booksmart wins
Should have won the Oscar too.
This was just as good as Kate winning for Revolutionary Road. I always say she won the Oscar the right year but for the wrong film.
Or, you know, Scarlett Johansson.
can’t believe how much I was exited about huppert’s wining
It’s near impossible but i would be the same if basnderas wins this year
Sometimes the Globes make the right decision.
When Huppert's name was announced as winner, that beautiful and memorable Anne Dudley score was played -- perfection in every level. Love the frenzied entanglements of bodies, jubilation and surprise in Huppert's table and the sustained applause after she collected her prize. It rivals Glenn Close's surprise win last year and Close's now-iconic speech which was moving, heart-rending, with a rare two standing ovations.
I am down for a Johansson/Pryce (surprise) wins. But would it be sick if instead we get a de Armas/Griffin Davis (unexpected) wins?
ScarJo please!
I’m hoping Ronan surprises in Best Actress to help change the narrative of the Oscar race a bit. Two former winners vying for the statue just seems a little boring, and Ronan is long overdue for her Oscar.
That win was so shocking. So epic. So deserved. Nicely done, HFPA.
If they can coax Penelope Cruz to present that category then....
I was just thinking of this the other day. I hope it really happens.
Isabelle Huppert’s Globe triumph was the happiest moment I ever had watching the show.
Portman winning the Critics Choice that year over Huppert made me lose faith In them being anything other than glorified Oscar predictions.
I hope Banderas pulls an Huppert!
Banderas would be a wonderful surprise for me !
Also adored Pryce in "2 Popes" (but that would be close yo a miracle) - still hoping for his Oscar nod
Benning of course & Hopkims (not a big fan of him anymore but I absolutely loved his take on Pope Benedict !)
I'm not predicting it but I have a feeling Roman Griffin Davis and "Jojo Rabbit" both could pull off an upset.
Ronan.
I second Saoirse.
This year I’m more excited about Actress in a Television Drama. Jennifer, Nicole, Olivia, Jodie or Reese? My money is on Jennifer.
And while we're on the subject, can be stop with this bizarre years-long delusion that Emma Stone 'robbed'/'stole/whatevered Natalie Portman's Oscar? Like, no, she wasn't winning for that and nor should she have when Isabelle was right there. I feel like it's quite telling when people say Natalie Portman of all people should have two Oscars and Isabelle should have zero. They're probably the sorts who complain about Jodie Foster having two, as well. Ugh.
@Glenn -- definitely! would love that!
i still remember the shock and thrill when huppert won. after that, i honestly believed she had a shot at the oscar that year...
this year, i too would love a ronan surprise, because she's great in the film and it would shake up the race!
Zellweger is for my in te Wrong Category. Good for Awkwafina, but it would be more excited to give Zellweger a run for the Money and in seprate Categorys we have a Competition for her in ScarJo, Ronan or Theron. Still the Oscar for Cold Mountain against greats like Agdashloo (My vote that year), Clarkson, Hunter, Gay-harden (the not nomiated Linney and Ricci) stinks. I am so sorry, i dont rob Oscar Winners normalyy hth eoscar AND the Nomination, but in that line-up and follow ups how could they even nominate her for that over the top and not much nuanced Performance? tell me. ^^
Banderas would be SO deserving...
"Amy Adams winning for Big Eyes (2014) when everyone expected Emily Blunt to win because she was in a musical; Into the Woods (2014)"
I do not remember this. My memory tells me that everyone was waiting for the triumph of Amy Adams since she was the only one of the nominees in that category with the possibility of an Oscar nomination.
Everyone I've spoken to has liked Little Women this season. If the HFPA feels guilty for not giving it much love, I can see Ronan winning the award. And I would LOVE to see her Oscar nominated.
I disliked Elle and Huppert whom I have never liked but Portman wasn't right for a 2nd at that time,Adams was right there and made more sense to me.
I think Scarlett wins Drama actress changing the narrative back to what many thought in September/October Renee vs Scarlett.No one is enjoying Bombshell that much.Theron comes over superior and self righteous in interviews like she's Meryl or something.
I don't remember anyone expecting Emily Blunt to win for INTO THE WOODS? lol
Harmodio & David -- you're remembering it different than me. I dont remember anyone thinking ADAMS was going to win since nobody liked the movie and most thought she wouldn't be nominated for the Oscar.
Nath is right. I remember it that way too.
What a relief Huppert and Close didn't win the Oscar. Rooting for Banderas this season.
I saw Little Women last night...my goodness, Saoirse was sexy and LUMINOUS. We already knew she was a gifted character actress, dramatic actress, what have you...but this movie confirms she is a STAR. In terms of level of difficulty, maybe Jo March is not on par with Lupita's character in US or Judy Garland, but she sells every moment, emotion effortlessly...totally behind a nomination.
It is true that Big Eyes did not get the expected acceptance (especially the bad cartoon that turned Christoph Waltz's performance in the middle of the movie) but I still remember that Amy Adams was the favorite in the Golden Globes since she was the the onlyof the nominees in her category to have the possibility of an Oscar nomination (not so close but there were) do not forget that Amy Adams was also nominated for Bafta.
The 3 Popes.
The 3 Popes.