The Best Actress in a Comedy/Musical features one major Oscar contender and a few surprise candidates. Because the Oscars will have announced their nominations three days before these awards, a surprise victory in this category does little to help anyone's Oscar hopes.
Emily Blunt- Salmon Fishing in the Yemen
Blunt's nomination in this category is a result of the film's surprise pick in the Best Comedy/Musical race. Blunt has not picked up any other recognition for this film outside of the Globes and her chances at winning are slim at best. She is not an Oscar candidate and that will make her battle to win this award an uphill climb. This is Blunt's fourth nomination at the Golden Globes; she won the Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television back in 2007 for her work in "Gideon's Daughter."
Judi Dench- The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
Outside of this nomination, Dame Judi Dench has only received recognition from the British Independent Film Awards for her turn in "Marigold Hotel." She also got some credit from the Critics Choice and Satellite Award for her supporting role in "Skyfall" but has otherwise generated little awards buzz. Like Blunt's nomination, this one is the result of "Marigold Hotel's" Best Comedy/Musical Picture nomination and Dench is likely not going to win an award here either. This is her 10th nomination and her history with the Hollywood Foreign Press could potentially give her a chance.
Jennifer Lawrence- Silver Linings Playbook
Lawrence is the only actress in this race to have major Oscar steam and will likely win the award in this category. She has won 10 Best Actress accolades this season; the remaining four have won a total of zero. This is her second Golden Globe nomination and will likely be her first win. The only reason she would lose is if the Hollywood Foreign Press decides to award one of the more experienced thespians.
Maggie Quartet- Quartet
Smith has garnered some buzz for her turn in "Quartet" but has not been awarded by any critics organizations. Her chances at winning her third Golden Globe are high this year, but not in this category. Smith is more likely to win in the Supporting Actress for a mini-series or TV Film and that alone diminishes her chances in this category.
Meryl Streep- Hope Springs
When you have won eight times and been nominated for the Globes on 27 different occasions, you are expected to win most years. That is usually the case for the legendary Meryl Streep, but she is unlikely to win this year by virtue of the fact that she has won two Golden Globes in the last three years. Last year, she won for her turn in "The Iron Lady" while the 2010 edition of the Globes gave her an accolade for "Julie & Julia." Streep could potentially steal the spotlight for Lawrence if the Hollywood Foreign Press gets nostalgic, but they are likely to pass the baton to the younger actress.
Prediction: There really is no contest in this category. Lawrence will win; a loss would be a tremendous surprise. If she were to lose, anyone has a shot at winning.
Who Will Win Best Director in a Motion Picture?
To read who will win Best Supporting Actor, click HERE.
To read who will win Best Animated Film, click HERE.
To read on who will win Best Supporting Actress at the Globes, click HERE.
To read on who will win Best Screenplay at the Globes, click HERE.
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