We all know that the Hollywood Foreign Press Association loves a flashy song-and-dance movie: They bestowed their Best Musical or Comedy prize on Chicago and Dreamgirls in the last decade. And the HFPA may continue that trend next month with the gorgeous, star-studded Nine, which scored the most nominations of any film in the category. But I’m beginning to wonder if the harsh reviews Nine received from the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, and, yes, Entertainment Weekly, will hurt its overall chances this awards season. Will the Globes voters want to risk being seen as mere star worshipers by anointing a film that was so savaged by the country’s leading critics?
If not, I’m thinking that of the four other nominees—(500) Days of Summer, The Hangover, It’s Complicated, and Julie & Julia—the one with the best shot may just be (500) Days. The Hangover, while the biggest hit of the bunch by far, is too crass, while the HFPA’s legion of Meryl Streep fans may find themselves split between her two films. (500) Days is quirky, fun, and original, with an ingenious script (illustrated in the below featurette featuring screenwriters Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber) and a standout performance from Globe nominee Joseph Gordon-Levitt. And, according to Rotten Tomatoes, it’s the best-reviewed film of the five. So yes, the HFPA loves a flashy musical, but not always. Don’t forget: Last year at the Globes, Vicky Cristina Barcelona beat Mamma Mia!
Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter (@davekarger) for awards updates throughout the season.
Photo credit: Chuck Zlotnick
Oh gosh. I would be so, so happy if ‘(500) Days’ wins. It’s one of the best movies I’ve seen this year, and I love an underdog story. I always feel like there’s so much politics to film awards, and little flicks like this don’t get the credit they deserve. This would be a wonderful surprise.
Agreed! I love love LOVED this movie – one of my favs this year. You’re totally right in that the little guy doesn’t often get the credit deserved, but here’s hoping for 500 Days.
(500) days of Summer will hopefully win. From what I hear, Nine is horribly suckish. (500) Days of Summer was awesomely not suckish. Nine was probably only nominated because of the director, stars, and hairography. (Yes, I learned that term from Glee!)
(500) Days of Summer is by far the best film of that list. I havent seen Its Complicated, but of the others, Zooey and Joey rule!
Oh, I love this movie! It was so cute, and different than your usual romantic comedies.
I’d be excited to see (500) Days of Summer win! I’d also be fine if Julie & Julia won, or maybe if The Hangover pulled a surprise, but It’s Complicated looks so “meh” to me, and Nine as well. I haven’t seen either of them yet (don’t intend to see It’s Complicated, but will see Nine), but I’ll pull for a (500) Days upset!
This wouldn’t surprise me at all.
Nine’s gotten as far as it has based on the cast, the director and the Weinstein brand. But based on its reviews (47% on RT, pretty pitiful for a film with Best Picture aspirations), it looks like its weaknesses will eventually catch up with it.
I don’t understand why 500 days of summer is not the front runner here, it is one of the best movies of the year. This and Inglorious Basterds. I really hope that Joseph gorden Levitt gets best actor anyone else agree????
Agree, he should also be given the role of the Joker in the next Batman movie
There won’t be a Joker in the next Batman fil, will there? I know I wouldn’t want Nolan to mess with Heath Ledger’s wonderfully acted character. Maybe JGL could play the Riddler.
I love this movie…. it really should be able to compete against Nine which is looking less and less like real winner.
The difference between Mamma Mia! and Nine is credible stars (I <3 Meryl, but she can't sing her way out of a wet paper bag), good choreography, cinematography, costuming, and dialogue. The only thing Mamma Mia! and Nine have in common is the fact that they're both musicals. Nine, however poorly acted it may or may not be (I haven't seen it) is an oscar bait movie-musical, unlike the breezy, ABBA filled mess that was Mamma Mia!
Have you not seen A Prarie Home Companion? Meryl’s sing voice is quite good in that.
Actually, Meryl Streep studied with renowned vocal teacher Estelle Leibling. One of Leibling’s other famous students was opera star Beverly Sills. Perhaps Meryl Streep’s singing voice was a reflection of acting choices and not a reflection of her actual voice. Would that character have a trained singing voice?
I think it’s possible, but I also wouldn’t count out “The Hangover” so easily…not only did it make the most money, but it also got some pretty great reviews AND it features one of cinemas rising stars (Bradley Cooper)…and we all know HFPA loves to be something of a frontrunner is acknowledging emerging stars. Of the bunch, I want “(500) Days of Summer” to take it, but I wouldn’t be upset if “The Hangover” snagged the win.
It’s been almost 5 months since I’ve seen this movie and I’m still crazy about it. Everything about 500 Days is just so darn perfect.
500 Days of Summer is original? I mean, I guess if you’ve never seen Annie Hall it is…but it borrows from Woody Allen’s classic like it’s a public library. Except, you know, it gives a far more palatable message about love and makes it more goyish. This movie wasn’t bad…but it wasn’t good either. It was another in the line of “Look at how quirky we can be!” so-called indy movies that aren’t really indy movies and aren’t quirky as much as they are just contrived.
amen.
Why do quirky and indy have to go together? Indy movies are not indy movies because they are unique. Just enjoy the movie for what it was and stop being so snobbish.
This movie was too cute by half. And it did seem like it had a checklist of indie cliches it was working from. Ironic voiceover? Check. Slacker hero? Check. Over-the-top dream/dance sequence? Check!
How original is Nine? From the previews Ive seen it borrows heavily from Chicago and All That Jazz.
While I did enjoy this movie somewhat and think the main stars did a fine job, I must say Devin’s critiques are quite valid. It was good but over-hyped for what it was. Films like this are what GARDEN STATE, LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE, and JUNO have wrought. This was better than those, but still. How about a moratorium on quirky cuteness labelled as “indie” in movies?
I second that motion. But I still loved “Garden State.”
Oh I hope so. It’s become my favorite movie ever. It’s the only movie I have seen that makes me smile, laugh cry and make me fell all fuzzy inside.
I really hope (500) Days of Summer can take Best Picture (Musical or Comedy). It would be a really nice surprise. But I have a feeling it won’t happen.
Seriously this was one of the best movies I’ve seen in a long time. It just speaks to me in so many different levels. I love how hilarious and melancholic it is and how real it felt. I swear, this movie is the shit.
I hope your theory is correct, 500 Days of Summer was best in category!