No Country For Old Men triumphs at Critics' Choice Awards
Story by Jack Foley
NO Country For Old Men, the brilliant new film from the Coen brothers, emerged as the big winner at the annual Critics’ Choice Awards in America by walking away with three prizes including best film.
The directors shared the best director trophy, while co-star Javier Bardem (pictured) was named best supporting actor. However, the Coens were among several winners who did not attend the ceremony, possibly as a mark of respect towards the ongoing writers’ strike.
For while the Critics’ Choice Awards, which are presented by the Broadcast Film Critics Association, are not covered by the contracts the Writers Guild of America are disputing, several other major ceremonies have been scrapped as stars refuse to cross picket lines imposed by the writers.
The Golden Globes ceremony has been scrapped in favour of a news conference, while doubt remains over several further awards ceremonies, including the Oscars, if a resolution is not found.
Bardem, who did attend, collected trophies for himself and on behalf of the Coens, adding: “I’m the third brother, the Spanish one.”
Another winner who did not attend was British star Julie Christie, who was named best actress for her portrayal of an Alzheimer’s sufferer in Sarah Polley’s Away From Her.
While Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, who won best song for their work in acclaimed musical drama Once, were also absent.
In spite of the non-attendances, the Critics’ Choice Awards did still manage to attract a glitzy line-up of winners and presenters.
Daniel Day-Lewis was present to collect yet another best actor prize for his acclaimed performance as an oil baron in Paul Thomas Anderson’s There Will Be Blood.
While Hairspray breakthrough star Nikki Blonsky was on hand to pick up the best acting ensemble award for the musical, as well as an individual trophy for best young actress.
Commenting on that accolade, she thanked both her real-life mum, who was sitting crying in the audience, and her on-screen mum, John Travolta, who was no doubt crying at home!
George Clooney, who missed out in the best actor category for his role in Michael Clayton, took the stage to present his friend and Ocean’s Thirteen co-star Don Cheadle with the inaugural Joel Siegel Award for his humanitarian work.
Alluding to the writers’ dispute, he called for all parties concerned to lock themselves in a room until a resolution had been found that was mutually agreeable to all concerned.
While Cheadle, upon accepting his prize, said that his support for the writers had prevented him from writing an acceptance speech.
Further awards went to excellent teenage pregnancy comedy-drama Juno, which collected trophies for best comedy and for first-time screenwriter Diablo Cody.
While Pixar’s Ratatouille was named best animation and Disney’s Enchanted took the best family film prize.
Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood also won a prize for the soundtrack to There Will Be Blood.
However, there were no awards for Sean Penn’s Into The Wild, which had led the field going into the ceremony with seven nominations.