Golden Globe Predictions: Best Actress in a Supporting Role

This category, like the best supporting actor one, seems highly unpredictable. Penelope Cruz (Vicky Cristina Barcelona) should be safe, and a category-misplaced Kate Winslet (The Reader) seems like a good bet. I’m pulling for Rosemarie Dewitt (Rachel Getting Married). It’s unclear whether Marisa Tomei (The Wrestler) will be able to siphon off any of the buzz from costar Mickey Rourke. Frances McDormand (Burn After Reading), though a longshot for the Oscars, may be just the type of nominee the Globes like to see. Viola Davis and Amy Adams (Doubt) may cancel each other out, but I suspect that the buzz for the film will go to Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman, and that Davis may pick up steam later on with the SAG Awards. If her film is popular enough, Debra Winger (Rachel Getting Married) may also be able to manage a nomination. Taraji P. Henson (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button) may have a large enough role to merit recognition, but it’s hard to tell at this point. I think the fifth nominee will prove to be a surprise: Beyoncé Knowles (Cadillac Records), an overrated performance that shouldn’t go much beyond Globes attention.

Predicted five:
BEYONCE KNOWLES, CADILLAC RECORDS
ROSEMARIE DEWITT, RACHEL GETTING MARRIED
KATE WINSLET, THE READER
PENELOPE CRUZ, VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA
MARISA TOMEI, THE WRESTLER