Podcast Summary: The Big Picture – "The Snubs, Surprises, and WTFs of the 2025 Golden Globe Nominations. Plus: Richard Gere!"

Release Date: December 9, 2024 Host: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Featuring: Joanna Robinson

Introduction to the Episode

Sean Fennessey opens the episode with enthusiasm about the upcoming Golden Globe nominations, expressing his excitement for discussing the notable snubs, surprises, and unexpected nominations. The conversation is set to delve deep into the intricacies of the nominations, highlighting the dynamic nature of the Golden Globes compared to other award bodies.

Overview of Golden Globe Nominations

Sean Fennessey kicks off the discussion by outlining the structure of the Golden Globes, emphasizing the separation between Drama and Musical/Comedy categories. He notes that the Golden Globes now have six nominations in key categories, increasing the chances of recognizing more deserving films and performances.

"The Brutalist has seven nominations, which is the second most to Emilia Perez's 10 nominations... I think it could be a favorite to win in this category at musical or comedy."
(06:25)

Joanna Robinson concurs, noting the unpredictability of the Golden Globes compared to more predictable awards like the National Board Review.

"The old Globes are not dead yet, based on these nominations... The Golden Globes are politically odd. And that's even more interesting, I think, to talk about."
(04:41)

Best Motion Picture Categories

Best Motion Picture – Drama

Nominees:

• The Brutalist
• A Complete Unknown
• Conclave
• Dune Part Two
• Nickel Boys
• September 5th

Discussion Points:

• The Brutalist has shown inconsistent momentum but currently holds significant nominations.
• Emilia Perez's The Substance stands out with 10 nominations, sparking debate about its potential impact at the Oscars.

"There's no doubt that this is a day where some campaigns die."
(09:41)

Joanna Robinson expresses skepticism about Emilia Perez being a frontrunner for the Oscars, highlighting the international influence on the Golden Globes.

"I don't know that Emilia Perez does not automatically mean to me that it's a major contender, but I do think we will see it for sure at the Oscars."
(07:49)

Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy

Nominees:

• Honora Challengers
• Emilia Perez
• A Real Pain
• The Substance
• Wicked

Discussion Points:

• Wicked is expected to perform strongly due to its musical nature and stellar performances by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande.
• The diversity of nominations reflects the Golden Globes' broadened voting body, incorporating more international perspectives.

"Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are both recognized. It's notably missing in director... It won John M. Chu the award for best director that's not the case here."
(06:53)

Acting Categories

Leading Actor – Drama

Nominees:

• Adrien Brody (The Brutalist)
• Timothée Chalamet (A Complete Unknown)
• Daniel Craig (Queer)
• Colman Domingo (Sing Sing)
• Ralph Fiennes (Conclave)
• Sebastian Stan (The Apprentice)

Discussion Points:

• Adrien Brody, Timothée Chalamet, Daniel Craig, Colman Domingo, and Ralph Fiennes are considered strong contenders.
• Sebastian Stan's dual nomination for The Apprentice is highlighted as a significant surprise, given the film's polarizing reception.

"Sebastian Stan, it is a good chance... That's somebody who... I would love to see Sebastian Stan get nominated for his work this year."
(12:38)

Leading Actress – Drama and Musical/Comedy

Drama Nominees:

• Pamela Anderson (The Last Showgirl)
• Angelina Jolie (Maria)
• Nicole Kidman (Baby Girl)
• Tilda Swinton (The Room Next Door)
• Fernanda Torres (I'm Still Here)
• Kate Winslet (Lee)

Musical/Comedy Nominees:

• Amy Adams (Night Bitch)
• Cynthia Erivo (Wicked)
• Carla, Sofia Gascon (Emilia Perez)
• Mikey Madison (Honora)
• Demi Moore (The Substance)
• Zendaya (Challengers)

Discussion Points:

• Angelina Jolie and Pamela Anderson are seen as "Old Globes" picks, relying on their established legacies.
• Fernanda Torres and Kate Winslet represent the more "New Globes," reflecting international acclaim and critical support.
• The absence of notable performances like Marianne Jean Baptiste, Angenellis Taylor, and Danielle Deadweiler raises concerns about representation.

"Demi Moore for the Substance... Or maybe even Demi Moore is flirting with that fifth slot. So that's exciting."
(22:26)

Supporting Actor and Actress

Supporting Actor

Nominees:

• Yura Borisov (Honora)
• Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain)
• Edward Norton (A Complete Unknown)
• Pierce (The Brutalist)
• Jeremy Strong (The Apprentice)
• Denzel Washington (Gladiator 2)

Discussion Points:

• Edward Norton and Jeremy Strong are highlighted for their exceptional performances.
• Denzel Washington's nomination for Gladiator 2 is seen as a strong addition.
• The category showcases a mix of established stars and rising talents.

"It's really hard to not spoil things, but I think that there's, like, a bit of an overemphasis on the perception of, like, why not me around Bob Dylan."
(42:38)

Supporting Actress

Nominees:

• Selena Gomez (Emilia Perez)
• Ariana Grande (Wicked)
• Felicity Jones (The Brutalist)
• Margaret Qualley (The Substance)
• Isabella Rossellini (Conclave)
• Zoe Saldana (Emilia Perez)

Discussion Points:

• Selena Gomez's nomination for Emilia Perez is met with mixed reactions, with Joanna Robinson criticizing her performance.
• Zoe Saldana and Isabella Rossellini receive praise for their roles, with Rossellini's legacy adding weight to her nomination.
• The absence of standout performances like Saoirse Ronan raises questions about diversity and recognition.

"Why not me around Bob Dylan?... It was just like, I think that was my oversight."
(42:38)

International Feature Category

Nominees:

• All We Imagine – Light Capadia
• Emilia Perez – The Girl with the Needle
• I'm Still Here
• The Seed of the Sacred Fig
• Vermiglio (unseen by hosts)

Discussion Points:

• I'm Still Here is highly acclaimed internationally, though divisive among critics.
• Emilia Perez's strong presence in the international category suggests potential Oscar success, despite mixed domestic reception.
• The Seed of the Sacred Fig and Vermiglio are noted for their strong international performances and critical acclaim.

"Mohammad Rasulov, the director, won best director at the Los Angeles Film Critics Awards... that's a big boost of visibility."
(35:07)

Box Office Achievement Award

Nominees:

• Alien Romulus
• Beetlejuice
• Deadpool and Wolverine
• Gladiator 2
• Inside Out Two Twisters
• Wicked
• The Wild Robot

Discussion Points:

• The category is criticized for its incongruity, with major box office hits like Dune Part 2 and Moana 2 notably absent.
• Deadpool and Wolverine's nominations are seen as mismatched, lacking the cinematic significance typically honored.

"Box office achievement is such a stupid idea for a variety of reasons."
(52:56)

Major Snubs and Surprises

Snubs:

• Marianne Jean Baptiste for Hard Truths
• Clarence Macklin for Sing Sing
• Danielle Deadweiler for The Piano Lesson
• Denis Villeneuve not nominated for Dune Part 2

Surprises:

• Sebastian Stan receiving dual nominations for The Apprentice
• Jesse Plemons nominated for Kinds of Kindness
• Gabriel LaBelle for Saturday Night despite mixed reviews

"Nobody really likes that movie, but I can't disagree."
(12:38)

Interview Segment: Richard Gere

The latter part of the episode transitions to an exclusive interview with Richard Gere, discussing his new film directed by Paul Schrader—a reunion with the cast from American Gigolo.

Key Highlights:

• Richard Gere reflects on the evolution of Paul Schrader as a filmmaker, noting his consistent talent and niche focus.
• Uma Thurman shares insights into their collaboration, emphasizing the emotional depth and personal significance of the project.
• The conversation delves into acting methodologies, with discussions about performing in close-up, documentary-style scenes, and the psychological impact of such roles.
• Gere and Thurman explore themes of memory, regret, and self-reflection, drawing parallels between their characters and personal experiences.

"The camera cannot lie specifically in that context when you're forced to look down the barrel."
(72:26)

"Every time there's a film festival does something for me... seeing my life edited through someone else's idea of my life."
(66:23)

Conclusion

Sean Fennessey and Joanna Robinson wrap up the discussion by highlighting the biggest winners and losers of the Golden Globes nominations. Sebastian Stan emerges as a standout winner, while notable films like We Live in Time and Outrun are acknowledged as significant snubs. The hosts express optimism for upcoming episodes, including analysis of the Oscars and future interviews with notable guests like the King of Physical Media.

"Shout out to Jack and Bobby. We got fucking Juan Soto, baby. Later this week, the king of physical media comes to the big picture."
(89:52)

Notable Quotes

• Sean Fennessey: "The Golden Globes are politically odd. And that's even more interesting, I think, to talk about."
  (04:41)

• Joanna Robinson: "Wicked is like the first real attempt in almost 30 years to put the music back in the film."
  (Repeated theme throughout)

• Sean Fennessey: "There's no such thing as a snub. We recognize that."
  (03:32)

• Joanna Robinson: "There's no room in the acting categories, it seems like there are four very strong contenders and a mystery slot."
  (07:49)

Final Thoughts

This episode of The Big Picture offers an in-depth analysis of the 2025 Golden Globe nominations, balancing critical perspectives with industry insights. The interview with Richard Gere adds a personal touch, bridging the discussion from award nominations to the art of filmmaking. Listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of the current award landscape, enriched by expert commentary and notable quotes.

For more detailed discussions and future episodes, tune in to The Big Picture by The Ringer on your preferred podcast platform.