1/27 UPDATE: Emily Blunt (“A Quiet Place”) becomes one of just a few people to be a SAG individual film acting winner and not receive an Oscar nomination. Her win is easily a highlight of the night. Mahershala Ali (“Green Book”) solidifies his chances for a 2nd Supporting Actor Oscar in just 3 years. Rami Malek (“Bohemian Rhapsody”) and Glenn Close (“The Wife”) are officially Academy Awards favorites. And “Black Panther” takes home the Acting Ensemble AND Stunt Ensemble trophies, solidifying itself in the Best Picture race. “A Star Is Born”, which led SAG noms, went 0-4.
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This Sunday night, it’s the 25th Annual SAG Awards. A banner year means we’re bound for surprises. Here are my picks:
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
My Pick: Mahershala Ali – “Green Book”
The Upset: Richard E. Grant – “Can You Ever Forgive Me?”
This is the time for someone to make their move if we want a Supporting Actor showdown heading into Oscar night. Grant has the best chance of beating Ali. Sam Elliott (“A Star Is Born”) is next in line, then Adam Driver (“BlacKkKlansman”). Timothee Chalamet, snubbed by the Academy, is just happy to be in the group.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
My Prediction: Amy Adams – “Vice”
The Upset: Emily Blunt – “A Quiet Place”
The tens of thousands of SAG-AFTRA members vote for both the film and television categories, regardless of whether you’re more involved in one or the other. Amy Adams has two nominations – this “Vice” recognition and a nom for her HBO miniseries “Sharp Objects”. Some people could vote for Adams for “Objects” AND “Vice”, JUST “Vice”, JUST “Objects” – or neither.
But while Adams is the clear frontrunner (because “If Beale Street Could Talk”’s Regina King shockingly missed the cut here), she’s not a lock to win. Either of the ladies of “The Favourite”, Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz, are the logical next choice. They’ve both been consistently nominated in the category this awards season – including for the Oscar. But the votes could easily split between them.
Margot Robbie was SAG nominated last year for “I, Tonya” – and her performance in “Mary Queen of Scots” is also up for the BAFTA. However, the film hasn’t been a huge play at the box office and throughout awards season. So I just don’t see a win for her.
That leaves us with Emily Blunt. Like Adams, she’s a double nominee. But while I’d love to see her win Best Actress for “Mary Poppins Returns”, that seems like a longshot at best. Blunt was snubbed by the Oscars for both her work as Poppins and in “A Quiet Place”. Four days of SAG Nominations have followed the Oscar nominations, and some may feel she should be recognized for at least one of her two performances.
I’m tempted to go with Blunt as my official pick. Adams just seems more likely. If neither of these two (who co-starred in the indie “Sunshine Cleaning”) are up on stage, I’ll be very surprised.
BEST ACTOR
My Prediction: Rami Malek – “Bohemian Rhapsody”
The Upset: Bradley Cooper – “A Star Is Born”
I still think Malek has momentum and is able to rise above “Bohemian Rhapsody”’s many controversies. Christian Bale (“Vice”) is an easy next choice. But like Blunt, Bradley Cooper could benefit from his Oscar snub. Yes, he’s up for the Best Actor Academy Award, but most predicted he would also be a shoe-in for a Best Director nom, which didn’t happen.
BEST ACTRESS
My Prediction: Glenn Close – “The Wife”
The Upset: Lady Gaga – “A Star Is Born”
Close seems like the kind of winner SAG loves: she’s paid her dues for so long and is finally getting the recognition she deserves. But a large portion of the voters could sway towards Gaga. A surprise win for fellow Oscar nominees Olivia Colman (“The Favourite”), Melissa McCarthy (“Can You Ever Forgive Me?”) will just make this year’s Best Actress race even more interesting.
BEST STUNT ENSEMBLE
My Prediction: “Black Panther”
The Upset: “Mission: Impossible – Fallout”
Do you pick the movie with the best stunts – or the best movie? That’s what SAG voters have to decide with this category. Many will want “Black Panther” to win something (since Best Acting Ensemble is less likely). But everyone LOVES Tom Cruise’s stunt work, and “Fallout” beat “Panther” for the Best Action Movie Critics Choice Award. At this point, I think it’s a 50/50 coin toss. (This award will be handed-out on the Red Carpet during the online pre-show.)
BEST ACTING ENSEMBLE
My Prediction: “A Star Is Born”
The Upset: “Bohemian Rhapsody”
“Crazy Rich Asians” has no shot. “BlacKkKlansman” is kind of the middle. Best Picture Oscar contenders “Green Book”, “Roma” and “The Favourite” aren’t even nominated.
So it’s down to the two music-heavy films. “Bohemian Rhapsody” will shock people just like it did by winning the Best Drama Golden Globe. “A Star Is Born” is the safe, but well-deserved, top prize choice.