Let’s just say "it’s an honor to be nominated." That’s shaping up to be the mantra for anyone whose film doesn’t happened to be named "Slumdog Millionaire" this awards season. Nominations seem easy to come by for its best picture Oscar competitors – "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," "Milk," "The Reader," and "Frost/Nixon" – but none have come close to racking up actual honors.
Danny Boyle’s Indian romance added more trophies today to its growing treasure chest with a whopping seven Orange British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs), including best picture, director, adapted screenplay, score, and cinematography. Not surprisingly, English rose Kate Winslet continued her winning streak at the BAFTAs, claiming the award for best leading actress in "The Reader."
With two BAFTA’s for best production design and make-up and hair, "Benjamin Button" continued to be lauded for its technical achievements, but nominees Brad Pitt and David Fincher were disappointed again. The creative minds—and PR machines—behind "Frost/Nixon" and "Milk" will have to be content with being BAFTA nominees this year.
"Slumdog" was a winner yet again at the Writers Guild of America awards this morning, with Simon Beaufoy nabbing the coveted award for best original screenplay. In a refreshing twist, "Milk"’s neophyte screenwriter Dustin Lance Black also bested veterans Eric Roth ("Benjamin Button") and Peter Morgan ("Frost/Nixon") in the screenplay competition.
If past awards seasons are any indication, Boyle, Winslet, and Beaufoy should get to work on their acceptance speeches for the 81st Academy Awards on February 22. All of the other competitors would be advised to work on their polite, frozen smiles.
To read the complete list of BAFTA winners and nominees, click here
To read the complete list of WGA winners and nominees, click here
Wins and Nominations So Far
"Slumdog Millionaire":
Won:
3 Golden Globes: best motion picture – drama; director Danny Boyle; screenplay, Simon Beaufoy; original score, A.R. Rahman.
3 Satellite Awards: best motion picture – drama; director Danny Boyle; original score, A.R. Rahman.
1 SAG: outstanding performance by a cast
1 WGA: best adapted screenplay, Simon Beaufoy
Nominated:
10 Oscars, 11 BAFTAs, 4 Globes, 2 SAG; 1 DGA, 6 Satellites
"Milk":
1 SAG: best performance by a male actor in a leading role, Sean Penn
1 WGA: best original screenplay, Dustin Lance Black
Nominated: 8 Oscars, 4 BAFTAs, 1 DGA, 1 Golden Globe, 4 Spirit Awards, 1 SAG, 6 Satellites
"The Reader":
Won:
1 Golden Globe: best supporting actress, Kate Winslet
1 BAFTA: best actress in a leading role: Kate Winslet
1 SAG: best female actor in a supporting role, Kate Winslet
Nominations:
5 Oscars, 5 BAFTAs, 4 Golden Globes, 4 Satellites, 1 SAG,
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button":
Won:
2 National Board of Review Awards: best director, David Fincher; best adapted screenplay, Eric Roth
Nominated:
13 Oscars, 11 BAFTAs, 4 Golden Globes, 3 SAG, 1 WGA, 4 Satellites,
"Frost/Nixon":
Won: 1 Satellite: best adapted screenplay, Peter Morgan
Nominated: 5 Oscars, 6 BAFTAs, 1 DGA, 5 Golden Globes, 2 SAG, 1 WGA, 2 Satellites
