The 81st Golden Globe nominations, announced on Monday, celebrated successes for blockbuster films “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer.” Notably, the ceremony itself marked a turnaround from previous snubs and controversies. NBC dropped the 2022 edition due to scandals surrounding the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (H.F.P.A.), prompting reforms to address diversity issues. The 2023 ceremony, hosted by Jerrod Carmichael, saw a respectable turnout, but some notable figures, like Brendan Fraser, were absent amid past accusations. In June, the H.F.P.A. was dissolved, and with new ownership, the voting body expanded to around 300 members. The 2024 nominations suggest a return to conventional choices, but the Golden Globes still promises its trademark quirky surprises.
Here are some of the most notable takeaways from this year’s nominations.
Female directors stage a comeback
The previous year’s Golden Globes saw a lack of inclusivity for female filmmakers, with all six best-director nominees being men, and no films directed by women nominated for best drama or best musical/comedy. This year, Greta Gerwig (“Barbie”) and Celine Song (“Past Lives”) break through in the best-director category, surpassing strong contenders like Todd Haynes (“May December”) and Alexander Payne (“The Holdovers”). Additionally, Justine Triet’s “Anatomy of a Fall” joins “Past Lives” in the best-drama category.
‘Past Lives’ has a rosy future
Despite facing strong competition from heavyweight films in the fall, Song’s acclaimed indie drama, featuring Greta Lee in a complex love triangle, emerged as a summer hit. Surpassing expectations, “Past Lives” secured Golden Globe nominations for drama, director, screenplay, and lead actress in a drama. Notably, the film even received recognition in the best film not in the English language category, despite a significant portion of it being in English. Fortunately, the Globes’ evolved rules no longer disqualify such nominations from the top drama award, a departure from their once-retrograde regulations.
‘The Color Purple’ sees red
While “Barbie” boasts three nominations in the best-song category, the competition for best comedy or musical overlooks this year’s actual studio musicals, namely “Wonka” and “The Color Purple.” The exclusion of “The Color Purple” is especially noteworthy as lead Fantasia Barrino and supporting actress Danielle Brooks receive nominations. Having been adapted from the Tony-winning stage musical for the big screen, the film’s chances for a top Oscar nomination may hinge on a substantial box office performance this Christmas.
The Globes save room for Taylor Swift
Five years ago, the proposal to introduce a popular-film Oscar faced widespread derision, leading to its abandonment a mere month after its announcement. However, this recent history hasn’t dissuaded the Golden Globes. The latest list, revealed on Monday, features a new category for cinematic and box office achievement, amplifying the recognition for blockbuster contenders like “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer.” Notably, the perennial Globe favorite, Taylor Swift, secures a nomination for “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour.” Despite the rebrand, it’s clear that at its core, the Golden Globes remain steadfast in their commitment to attracting superstars.