Sorry Beyoncé, although you showed some acting chops in your turn as blues singer Etta James in “Cadillac Records,” it wasn’t enough for the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the folks who do the nominations for the first important award show of the season, The Golden Globes. More disappointing is that Taraji P. Henson’s role in the Christmas release “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” was also overlooked (although the film was not). But one sister did live up to the pre-nomination and that is no other than Viola Davis who has a brief but pivotal role in “Doubt”, which will have a limited release tomorrow.
Anyway, as I mentioned in an earlier post, Davis is one of the best kept secrets in Hollywood. But hopefully, this recognition of her talent with garner her more work. If the Tony’s awards are any indication, Davis may have a shot against the twice nominated Kate Winslet, her co-star Amy Adams, Marisa Tomei and Penélope Cruz. The actress who played the same role in the stage play, Adriane Lenox won a Tony for best featured actress in a play. (She wasn’t up against a comeback vehicle like The Wrestler, which Tomei stars in opposite Mickey Rourke).
Although this year’s nominees are overwhelming white, there are some other folks included in the mix. “A Raisin in The Sun,” gets a nod for Best Miniseries or TV movie (but none of the actors are nominated) and Blair Underwood gets a Supporting Actor nod for his role in HBO’s “In Treatment.” (However, I have got to say that he is one the reasons I tune in to “Dirty Sexy Money” each week—he sure knows how to play evil. Too bad no one else was watching). And finally, Beyoncé, who at least wasn’t totally shut out. She’s one of the seven writers nominated for Original Song for Once In A Lifetime from “Cadillac Records.” I guess that may be some consolation.
**UPDATE: Davis continues to garner praise for this role, she was also nominated for a Screen Actors Guild SAG Award. Go Viola!
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