SubscribeBehind the scenes at the N.Y. critics' wily voting session
Always count on members of the New York Film Critics Circle for howlers when they cast ballots for awards. A few years ago there was that notorious vote for Tom Cruise as best actress in "Vanilla Sky." Today it was a vote for the blow-up sex doll Bianca as best supporting actress in "Lars and the Real Girl." Sadly, poor Bianca had the wind taken out of her chances by winner Amy Ryan ("Gone Baby Gone") Other gag votes: "Walk Hard" for best picture and its supporting star Paul Rudd, who was also cited for his role in "Knocked Up." Perhaps Rudd wouldn't think that's so funny since he's occasionally mentioned as a looooongshot at the Golden Globes.
"I'm Not There" did surprisingly well in many top races today. It didn't win any awards, but it came in third place for best picture after champ "No Country for Old Men" and runner-up "There Will Be Blood." Ditto for its helmer Todd Haynes, who placed third in the directors' lineup behind the winning Coen brothers and second-placed Paul Thomas Anderson.
"Blood's" big victory was in the best-actor slot for Daniel Day-Lewis. In second place was Viggo Mortensen ("Eastern Promises").
Ellen Page ("Juno") gave Julie Christie ("Away from Her") a run for the lead-actress laurels, but Christie ended up winning handily. In the supporting-actress race, Cate Blanchett ("I'm Not There") came in second place; all three "Atonement" co-stars made strong showings, too. Javier Bardem ("No Country for Old Men") romped in the supporting-actor category. "No Country" won the screenplay prize over "Juno," "The Savages" and "Zodiac."
Last year's voting session was marred by a hissy fit from New York Observer critic Rex Reed over "United 93" winning best pic, but "Rex was fairly pleased with the results today," one member reports. "Rex got pissy about a few little things, but nothing major."
There was one major outburst during the meeting: a loud protest from one member over the suggestion to give Sidney Lumet an honorary prize. The member made it clear that he didn't feel that Lumet's film, "Before the Devil Knows You're Dead," was worthy. However, circle members overwhelming overruled him and voted to give fellow New Yorker Lumet a Lifetime Achievement Award anyway.
See the full list of winners — click here!
(Photo: MGM)
Is the list of NYFCC runners-up available? Would love to see the breakdown.
Posted by: SWF | December 12, 2007 at 05:24 PM
I keep fixing the "I'm Not There"/ "I'll Be There" goof and somehow the old mistake keeps popping up. sorry -- another mystery of cyberspace to solve
Posted by: Tom O'Neil | December 10, 2007 at 04:35 PM
"In the supporting-actress race, Cate Blanchett ("I'll Be There") came in second place; all three "Atonement" co-stars made strong showings, too."
I assume he means the Brionys
Posted by: AJ | December 10, 2007 at 03:39 PM
Who were the three "Atonement"'s co-stars nominated? Could you post the list of NYFCC runner-ups, please?
Posted by: Pablo Serrano Herrero | December 10, 2007 at 02:10 PM
It is called I'm Not There! LOL.
Posted by: BTN | December 10, 2007 at 02:02 PM