With the announcement of the 25th annual SAG Awards Nominations, many people woke up to happy phone calls and texts this morning but there were a select few who were expecting a notification that came up emptyhanded today. Here is my list of the biggest snubs & surprises from today’s nominations:
If Beale Street Could Talk: One of the bigger surprises was the lack of showing from awards favorite If Beale Street Could Talk. It could’ve easily gotten an Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture nomination but it came up short there but perhaps the biggest snub was for Regina King. The actress has been a key presence this awards season in the supporting actress categories but the SAGS shut her out. It looks like Margot Robbie took her spot for her role in Mary Queen of Scots. Do I think King will be left out when nominations are announced? No, but this certainly put a speed bump in her momentum.
Julia Roberts, Homecoming/Ben Is Back. Julia Roberts and her Amazon series Homecoming received a lot of love from the Golden Globes with a nom for Roberts for Lead Actress in a Limited Series but the SAG Awards ignored what critics have called an “emotionally complex performance.” Kind of shows you that the Globes go for the splashy new series while the SAGS tend to not go that route. On the film side, Roberts is receiving some of the best reviews of her career for Ben Is Back but the crowded female field likely shut her out of the Lead Actress category for a film as well.
First Man: After gaining momentum with key Critics’ Choice Awards nominations, First Man loses ground again by being snubbed by the Screen Actors Guild. No nomination for its ensemble and Ryan Gosling also came up empty-headed in the lead actor category. Claire Foy was the film’s best shot for her best-supporting-actress work but she was also ignored by the Guild. I’m on the fence as to where its Oscar chances are because it has been so up and down but it’s not looking good.
Donald Glover, Atlanta: The critically acclaimed FX series did score an Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series nomination but Glover was ignored for individual honors. He has received many great notices for his work during the second season for taking on more than “just” his lead role but SAG didn’t honor him for his work this year.
Bohemian Rhapsody: Let me start by saying this: I liked Bohemian Rhapsody and was suitably entertained by it but I’m a bit surprised that it snagged an Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture nomination. The Globes also gave the film a Best Picture – Drama nomination which also surprised me because the film, in my eyes, isn’t great enough to warrant awards attention other than for Rami Malek who rightfully was nominated for a SAG Award for Best Actor. With is ensemble nomination it shut out the likes of Mary Poppins Returns, Vice & If Beale Street Could Talk which are being viewed in a far better light than Bohemian Rhapsody.
John Krasinski, Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan: I’m down for any love for John Krasinski because he’s having one hell of a year but I was a bit surprised by his Best Actor nomination for his work on Amazon’s Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan. Not because he’s not necessarily deserving, but because his name hasn’t really been in the conversation in this category until now. He has received more attention on the film side of things with A Quiet Place but I’m sure he’ll take some Jack Ryan love as well.
The Favourite: While all of its leading ladies scored nominations, I’m a little surprised that The Favourite was shut out of the ensemble category. I know that the three female leads do dominate the film but this is also the kind of movie that the SAG Awards has favored in this category in the past. This definitely won’t affect its chances at the Oscars for Best Picture. It’s for sure getting that nomination.
Pose: FX’s daring and groundbreaking ballroom culture drama has received great reviews and was acknowledged by the Golden Globes and the Critics’ Choice Awards but SAG gave Pose no love this morning. It’s even more surprising because Pose is a true ensemble series and seemed poised for a nomination in that category but it was ultimately shut out. Looking at what did make the cut, I think Ozark easily has its spot or the more traditional ensemble of This Is Us, which took the award last year.
Nicole Kidman: There is no denying that Nicole Kidman is having a great year with two chances at awards love between her roles in The Destroyer and Boy Erased but she came up empty handed with no nominations for either film. Kidman has popped up in either category this awards season so it’s just a matter of who is taking her slot. For her supporting turn in Boy Erased, I think Emily Blunt scored that spot for her supporting turn in A Quiet Place while lead actress for it could be either Melissa McCarthy for Can You Ever Forgive Me? or Emily Blunt once again for Mary Poppins Returns.
Regina King, Seven Seconds: Not only was King snubbed on the film side for If Beale Street Could Talk, but she was also shut out on the TV side for her critically acclaimed role on the Netflix limited series, Seven Seconds. King won an Emmy for her role here and also just received a Golden Globe nomination for her performance but the SAGS left her empty-handed.
Ethan Hawke, First Reformed: Ethan Hawke has been a bit of a presence this awards season for the indie film First Reformed but didn’t receive a SAG nomination for Best Actor. Most of the accolades that Hawke has been receiving have been critical awards and it’s just another reminder that SAG Awards (and Oscar) voters aren’t the critics.
The Americans: I’ve been a long time fan of The Americans and I love the accolades it has received for its final season, even coming up with a Best Ensemble nomination this morning but fans know that the show is Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys who deserved nominations for their individual work but SAG didn’t acknowledge them. That being said, I love the momentum that series has seen in its final season and it has a strong shot at taking the ensemble award.
John David Washington, BlacKkKlansman: I think it’s safe to say that no one has John David Washington on their predictions list despite him receiving solid notices from critics for his role in BlacKkKlansman. Earlier this week he surprised with a Golden Globe nomination and he showed up again this morning with a Best Actor nod for the SAGS. With this new momentum, an Oscar nomination could very well be in the cards.
Lucas Hedges: Much like Nicole Kidman, Lucas Hedges had two shots at nominations for his work in Ben Is Back and Boy Erased but came up short on both sides. He’s still in play for a possible Supporting Actor nomination at the Oscars for Boy Erased but it’s a crowded field and another actor in his age range, Timothee Chalamet, will likely take his spot there for his role in Beautiful Boy.
