'Quills' takes home award season's first prize

"Quills"

NEW YORK -- The movie awards season has officially begun. "Quills," Philip Kaufman's drama about the Marquis de Sade, Wednesday was named the best film of the year by the National Board of Review.

The board's choice of "Quills" seems fitting; the organization was founded in 1909 to fight censorship of the film industry. The marquis, played by Geoffrey Rush, spent the last years of his life in an insane asylum, banished for his controversial writings. The film, which focuses on the marquis' last days, also Kate Winslet, Michael Caine and Joaquin Phoenix.

Spanish actor Javier Bardem was named best actor for his role in "Before Night Falls," about the Cuban writer and poet Reinaldo Arenas. Julia Roberts won the best actress prize for "Erin Brockovich," based on the real-life environmental crusader.

	RELATED REVIEWS
'Quills' a tortured tale 'Croupier': A tiny jackpot of a film Sibling love, faith explored in 'You Can Count on Me' 'Billy Elliot' a leaping testimony to human spirit The gore that was Rome told in stunning 'Gladiator' 'Wonder Boys' gets a second chance 'Sunshine' moving, remarkable account of three generations 'Dancer in the Dark' deserves an audience

The group's top 10 films of 2000, in order, were: "Quills," "Traffic," "Croupier," "You Can Count on Me," "Billy Elliot," "Before Night Falls," "Gladiator," "Wonder Boys," "Sunshine" and "Dancer in the Dark."

The National Board of Review honors kick off the movie awards season, which ends with the Academy Awards ceremony in March. The New York Film Critics Circle, considered among the most prestigious film awards, will announce its winners December 13.

Other honorees included Joaquin Phoenix, who won the best supporting actor award for his roles in "Gladiator," "Quills" and "The Yards," while Lupe Ontiveros won best supporting actress for "Chuck and Buck."

Steven Soderbergh was named best director for "Erin Brockovich" and "Traffic," which stars newlyweds Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones, while Ted Tally won best screenplay for "All The Pretty Horses." Ang Lee's "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," was named best foreign film.

The breakthrough performance award was given to Michelle Rodriguez for "Girlfight," and Jamie Bell was named outstanding young actor for his role as an aspiring ballet dancer in "Billy Elliot." Best animated feature honors went to "Chicken Run."

Actress Ellen Burstyn, who recently appeared in "The Yards," "Requiem for a Dream" and the re-release of "The Exorcist," will receive a career achievement prize when the board hands out its awards January 16 in New York.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Film industry begins talking Oscars
November 22, 2000
Star of Tomorrow: Jamie Bell -- A real-life 'Billy Elliot'
October 25, 2000
Troubling, funny 'Chuck & Buck' poses tough questions
July 19, 2000
'Girlfight''s Michelle Rodriguez
September 29, 2000
Review: Compelling plot, superb acting highlight 'The Yards'
October 23, 2000
Review: Julia Roberts dazzling in 'Erin Brockovich'- March 16, 2000
'Girlfight,' 'Count on Me' win top Sundance honors
January 31, 2000

"Quills"
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.