Spike Jonze’s Her, which stars Joaquin Phoenix as a man who falls in love with a computer voice, just got a huge boost for its Oscar chances. The film was picked as the best movie by the National Board of Review.
Jonze, whose past credits include Where The Wild Things Are and Adaptation., also won Best Director. The film has already made waves this awards season, since some analysts think that Scarlett Johansson may have a shot at an Oscar nomination, even though she never appears onscreen as the voice of a computer. However, she won’t have a chance to win a Golden Globe.
The win for Her follows yesterday’s surprise announcement from the New York Film Critics Circle that they picked David O. Russell’s American Hustle as the year’s best film. Both movies have yet to see wide release, with Hustle not opening until Dec. 18. Her will not released wide until January.
While these awards are picked by critics, not members of the industry, it does have to look worrisome for Steve McQueen’s 12 Years A Slave. The film is entering the awards season as a Best Picture Oscar favorite, but is now 0-2. The National Board of Review did list it among their top films of the year and McQueen did win Best Director from the NYFCC.
Other key National Board of Review wins came for Nebraska stars Bruce Dern (Best Actor) and Will Forte (Best Supporting Actor). Fruitvale Station’s Octavia Spencer won Best Supporting Actress, while her director Ryan Coogler won Best Directorial Debut and co-star Michael B. Jordan was recognized for his breakthrough performance. Saving Mr. Banks’ Emma Thompson won Best Actress.
You can check out all the winners at NationalBoardOfReview.org.
image: trailer screenshot