National Society of Film Critics Picks The Hurt Locker; Does That Hurt Its Oscar Chances?
Posted 01.05.10 by reelz
The Hurt Locker was the big winner when the National Society of Film Critics announced their awards for the movies of 2009. The Iraq War drama took home Best Picture, Best Director for Kathryn Bigelow, and Best Actor for Jeremy Renner, who plays a soldier addicted to the adrenaline rush of disarming landmines.
If history is any indication, this may be bad news for the movie's Oscar chances. In 40-plus years, the only movies that have ever won Best Picture from both the NSFC and the Academy are Annie Hall, Unforgiven, Schindler's List, and Million Dollar Baby. The match-up is better, however, for the director and actor categories, so Bigelow and Renner may be soild contenders when the Oscar nominations are announced on February 2.
The Best Actress award went to Yolande Moreau for her performance as French artist Séraphine Louis in the biopic Seraphine. Christoph Waltz and Paul Schneider split the Best Supporting Actor award for their work in Inglourious Basterds and Bright Star, respectively. Mo'Nique took home Best Supporting Actress for Precious, while Joel Coen and Ethan Coen received Best Screenplay honors for A Serious Man.