Few Surprises as Gladiator Wins Twelve Oscar Nominations
February 15, 2001
There were few surprises when the Academy Award nominations
were announced in Los Angeles today. As anticipated Durham-born
Ridley Scott's Gladiator was a big favourite, with members of
the Academy honouring it with a total of 12 nominations. Ang Lee's
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon which also did well, garnering
a total of 10 nominations, shares a spot with Gladiator in Best
Film and Best Director categories.
Director Stephen Soderbergh scored a first in Oscar history when
he had both of his hit films Erin Brockervich and Traffic in both
Best Film and Best Director categories. But this double whammy
may not help him win a little gold statue if the final vote goes
the way of the Golden Globes where only two of nine nominations
were converted into awards and neither were for Best Film or Best
Director.
The sweet but empty Chocolat was a surprise nomination in the
Best Film category, with Stephen Daldry winning a Best Director
nomination for runaway success, Billy Elliot.
Meanwhile, Tom Hanks and Russell Crowe will be fighting it out
for Best Actor award. Hanks took the title at the Golden Globes,
so maybe it's Crowe's turn? Or maybe Jeffrey Rush's performance
in Quills - described by our chief film reviewer The Wolf as "a
camp narcissistic rave" - will knock both into touch?
Julia Roberts looks favourite to win Best Actress Award for her
role in Erin Brockovich, although it would be nice to see Laura
Linney in You Can Count On Me lifting the award.
In spite of the fact that more films are getting made in the UK,
the nominations reflected the mixed year for the Brits. Billy
Elliot - one of the successful British film made in ages - earned
three nominations: Stephen Daldry for Best Director, Julie Walters
for Actress in a Supporting role and Lee Hall for the Screenplay.
Albert Finney also got a Supporting Actor nomination, playing
an American - a small town Californian attorney, to be precise
- in Erin Brockovich. This was one of six nominations for the
film.
Sting also earned a nomination in the Best Original Song category
for My Funny Friend and Me from The Emperor's New Groove.
As usual arguments about what got overlooked will be hotly discussed
in the days running up to the ceremony on March 25. Michael Douglas,
who gave a memorable performance in Traffic and Wonder Boys, was
completely shut out, and many expected young Jamie Bell to be
given a nod for Billy Eliott.
