Rumor Squelcher: 'True Grit' a Drama, 'The Tourist' a Comedy

Lorey Sebastian/Paramount Pictures

On Wednesday, a rumor had it that True Grit was proposed for the Golden Globes'  comedy/musical category. "Not true," says producer Scott Rudin. "No, it's a drama. No -- I get it, I personally think it's really funny, and a lot of people think that, but it's a drama. That's where it's gonna stay." Moving it to the less competitive Globes comedy/musical slot might be taken for a sign of weakness for an Oscar best picture contender, but for other movies it's the smart thing to do.

The Tourist was originally pitched to HFPA as a drama, though the director and HFPA thought comedy might be better, and all concurred, so that's what it's submitted for. "They have a lot better chance in that category," says one savvy insider. "And maybe they might get Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie for the show."

As Pete Hammond notes, The Kids Are All Right is trying to use its frontrunning Globe comedy bid as an image reboot after its July release and November DVD release, and a springboard to a higher Oscar profile.

Other Globe comedy hopefuls include the star-studded action romp Red and the not altogether merry Barney's Version, with Paul Giamatti as an obnoxious TV producer (who ages markedly in the course of the film, as Giamatti did in HBO's John Adams, directed by The King's Speech director Tom Hooper). In September, Hammond said Tamara Drewe, James L. Brooks' How Do You Know, Casino Jack, and maybe You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger would be submitted to HFPA as comedies. "Since then Red has come on strong, and others I mentioned like Life As We Know It have no shot."

Hitfix has this prophecy for the Globes' best picture, musical or comedy slate:

Bet on it: The Kids Are All Right, How Do You Know, and Burlesque.
Maybe: Made in Dagenham, Love and Other Drugs, Easy A, Casino Jack, Alice in Wonderland, Red.

It's hard to imagine anything beating The Kids.