Awards Season is officially underway, and the New York Film Critics Circle is one of the first out of the gate with love for Moneyball, The Artist, and The Tree Of Life.
Here are the winners:
Best Picture
The Artist
Best Director
Michel Hazanavicius — The Artist
Best Screenplay
Steven Zaillian, Aaron Sorkin — Moneyball
Best Actress
Meryl Streep — The Iron Lady
Best Actor
Brad Pitt — Moneyball, The Tree of Life
Best Supporting Actress
Jessica Chastain — The Tree of Life, The Help, Take Shelter
Best Supporting Actor
Albert Brooks — Drive
Best Cinematographer
Emmanuel Lubezki — The Tree of Life
Best Non-Fiction Film (Documentary)
Cave of Forgotten Dreams
Best Foreign Film
A Separation
Best First Film
J.C. Chandor — Margin Call
My Take: Not sure I agree with the kudos for Brad Pitt (he was good, but in my eyes, not remarkable) or Moneyball overall, but I have major beef with neither. I’m pleased to see Jessica Chastain get her due, as she held her own against Michael Shannon in Take Shelter and was one of the best things about The Help.