Paul Thomas Anderson’s ‘One Battle After Another’ Submits as Comedy at Golden Globes
In a bold awards-season move, Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another has officially entered the Comedy or Musical category at the 2025 Golden Globes. The decision positions Anderson’s darkly satirical family saga alongside genre-defying classics like Nashville (1975) and Emilia Pérez (2024)—films that redefined comedy-drama boundaries on their way to glory.
Why the Comedy Category? A Strategic Gamble
Anderson, renowned for epics like There Will Be Blood and Magnolia, delivers a tragicomic whirlwind in One Battle After Another. The film follows a dysfunctional family embroiled in absurd crises, blending biting humor with profound melancholy.
Critics praise its tonal duality: “Anderson makes you laugh through the pain,” wrote The Hollywood Reporter. The HFPA’s history of flexible genre rules—letting The Martian (2015) compete as a comedy—suggests the gamble could pay off.
Golden Globes Precedent: When Drama Masquerades as Comedy
The HFPA has repeatedly rewarded films that straddle genres:
– Nashville (1975): A dramatic ensemble with musical beats won Best Comedy/Musical.
– Emilia Pérez (2024): A crime saga with musical numbers triumphed in the same category.
By avoiding the crowded Drama field (e.g., Joker: Folie à Deux), Anderson’s team boosts its odds while sparking debate over what defines a “comedy.”
Industry Divided: Genius or Stretch?
Reactions are split:
– Supporters: Cite The Grand Budapest Hotel’s 2014 Comedy/Musical win as a blueprint.
– Skeptics: Argue the film’s heaviness overshadows its humor.
“It’s a satire, but it’s no Barbie,” quipped one anonymous voter.
Record-Breaking Potential and Oscar Implications
A win would:
1. Place One Battle After Another in rare company with Nashville and Emilia Pérez.
2. Strengthen its Oscar momentum, particularly for Dev Patel and Tilda Swinton’s performances.
What’s Next?
With campaigning underway, Anderson’s genre play could redefine awards calculus—or face backlash. Either way, it’s a high-stakes bet for a film already tipped as a 2025 standout.
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