Silent film homage The Artist has proved a surprise hit at the box office in America and leads the nominations for the 2012 Golden Globes. The French production, which was filmed in black and white, isn’t out in the UK until the 30th December but has already been tipped for best musical and comedy and its stars, Jean Dujardin and Berenice Bejo, are the early front-runners for best actor and actress.
The annual gala, which takes place on the 15th January, is the first major event of the Hollywood awards season and it’s often a good indicator of opinion ahead of the Oscars. Bearing that in mind, it’s no surprise that The Artist is currently heading the betting for Best Film at the Academy Awards at 7/4 with William Hill and bodog. Stephen Spielberg‘s evocative War Horse, 7/2 with Paddy Power, Skybet and Stan James, is also proving popular with punters in the category and Martin Scorcese‘s Hugo (8/1 with bodog, Skybet and Stan James) could make a late run. The Girl With A Dragon Tattoo (25/1 with Paddy Power and Skybet) has had mixed reviews, however, and looks as though it will continue to divide opinion as much as Stieg Larsson‘s orginal novel.
The good news about the Golden Globes is that Ricky Gervais will again host the event. Having torn Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie to shreds last year, which Hollywood superstar will get the full treatment from the British comic this time? Kenneth Branagh leads the British nominations in the Golden Globes, having been put forward as best supporting actor for playing Laurence Olivier opposite Michelle Williams‘ Marilyn Monroe in My Week With Marilyn. Williams is sure to be a front-runner for Best Actress at the Oscars for her role as the tragic blonde bombshell (currently a general 9/4) but Meryl Streep is receiving much acclaim for her portrayal of Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady. Having seen many Thatcher impersonators over the years, I’m not certain that Streep‘s version of the former PM is any better than Steve Nallon or Angela Thorne‘s depiction and the storyline is a little vague at times but it’s the kind of thing Hollywood loves so it’s no surprise that the multi-accented veteran is only a best 11/10 with Paddy Power, Stan James and William Hill to win Best Actress at the Oscars.
