Complicated but musical Golden Globes – a look behind the scenes

After various twists and turns, the 79^e Golden Globes ceremony will finally take place on January 9. Without the press, without red carpet, without even the names … for health reasons that we know – only a few happy few patrons will attend. We got used …

What has especially agitated the Hollywood microcosm for several months is that the event has been the subject of a boycott launched in spring 2021 by several media denouncing the lack of diversity of the members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), organizer of the Globes – Tom Cruise has also chosen to return his three trophies. The NBC television channel, which was to broadcast the awards ceremony and which supports the protest, has canceled its participation. If the HFPA cannot find a replacement, this will be the first time since 1979 that the ceremony will not be broadcast on television. Even the streaming alternative seems to face legal obstacles, NBC having acquired the broadcasting rights … The official website of the Golden Globes does not announce any plan B but communicates on the reforms already undertaken in order to defuse the protest. Likewise, the ceremony will give the organizers the opportunity to take stock of controversial themes.

The list of contenders was unveiled on December 13. Many musical films are in the running for an award which, it is often said, heralds an even more sought-after award: the Oscar.

the West Side Story by Steven Spielberg appears in four categories:

• Best Musical or Comedy Film;
• Best Director: Steven Spielberg;
• Best Actress in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy: Rachel Zegler;
• Best Supporting Actress: Ariana DeBose.

The rumor was running than Rita moreno, the multi-awarded Anita West Side Story 1961, who plays a new character created by Spielberg and his screenwriter Tony Kushner, could have been on the list of contenders for a Globe; as it is not, let’s wait for them nominated for the Oscars …

The film, shunned by the public both in the United States and in France – in total not even $ 60 million in revenue when it would take 300 to achieve balance -, however, received very favorable reviews, in particular for the achievement and performance of its artists. Will this be enough to Steven spielberg to land a Globe – knowing that the nominations were announced after the film had just hit screens? Ariana DeBose seduced us with his impressive and luminous performance as Anita, and the press was full of praise for him; it could create a surprise in the face of much more seasoned actresses. Yes Rachel Zegler did not arouse so much enthusiasm, we must absolutely salute the nomination of the woman whose first film is and who was a complete stranger before being chosen to play María; at only twenty, she competes in her category with seasoned actresses like Jennifer Lawrence or Emma Stone …

… or Marion Cotillard. Named for her portrayal of an internationally renowned soprano in the musical film Annette of Leos Carax, will the French actress repeat her 2008 feat? That year, she had won the Golden Globe and the Oscar – in addition to the César and the Bafta – for The kid. She has since been nominated for the Golden Globes in 2009 for Nine by Rob Marshall (the adaptation of the musical by Maury Yeston) and in 2012 for Rust and bone by Jacques Audiard, and at the Oscars in 2014 for Two days, one night of the Dardenne brothers.

This is the only nomination for the film that opened the Cannes Film Festival in 2021. Too bad for the Sparks, who signed the music.

Presented in some festivals, Cyrano was released in theaters only on December 17 for a single week in Los Angeles, precisely in order to be able to participate in the selection of the Golden Globes and the Oscars. And here he is named in two important categories:

• Best Musical or Comedy Film;
• Best Actor in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy: Peter Dinklage.

The film, directed by Joe Wright, is an adaptation of the musical piece by Erica Schmidt (who also wrote the screenplay) on music by the twins Aaron and Bryce Dessner and after the classic by Edmond Rostand. Peter Dinklage, winner of a Golden Globe in 2011 for the television series Game Of Thrones, already embodied the title role on stage with great charisma.

Tick, Tick… ​​Boom! competes in the same categories:

• Best Musical or Comedy Film;
• Best Actor in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy: Andrew Garfield.

Released confidentially in theaters, the film directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton, In the heights) mainly reached its audience thanks to the Netflix platform. It is adapted from the semi-autobiographical musical piece by Jonathan Larson. The performance of Andrew Garfield, actor already noticed in 2017 in You will not kill by Mel Gibson, is exceptional, but … he faces him Anthony ramos, named for In the heights, the film by John M. Chu adapted from the musical by Lin-Manuel Miranda, which is definitely everywhere …

… Since he also composed “Dos oruguitas”, nominated in the category Best original song for the musical cartoon Encanto, which is also named in the categories:

• Best animated film;
• Best Film Music (Germaine Franco).

Let’s complete this musical panorama by Lady Gaga, nominated in the category Best Actress in a Dramatic Film for House of Gucci, and Christine baranski (Mamma Mia!, Into the Woods) nominated for Best Actress in a Drama Series for The Good Fight.

The ceremony will begin on January 9 at 6 p.m. West Coast time, or Monday January 10 at 3 a.m. More details on the Golden Globes page.

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