It’s one award after another for Leonardo DiCaprio’s latest film, which cleaned up at the prestigious National Board of Review (NBR) awards announcement on Wednesday.
The Oscar-winning actor stars in Warner Bros.’ “One Battle After Another” as “Ghetto Pat,” a washed-up, weed-smoking former revolutionary who’s dragged back into a fast-paced life of danger, as a corrupt military colonel (played by Sean Penn) relentlessly pursues his teen daughter.
The NBR honored the film with five prizes, the most of any this year, including best film, best director for Paul Thomas Anderson, best actor for DiCaprio (who previously took home supporting actor trophies for “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?” and “Django Unchained”), best supporting actor for Benicio del Toro and a breakthrough performance award for newcomer Chase Infiniti.
After recent key victories for the film at the Gotham Awards and the New York Film Critics Circle, momentum around the movie from “Boogie Nights” auteur Anderson is at an all-time high, with many pundits predicting the film could similarly take top honors at the Academy Awards in March.
The movie’s been a hit among audiences and critics alike, earning a 94-percent “fresh” rating on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, and widespread acclaim for its central performances from DiCaprio, Penn, Infiniti, Del Toro, Teyana Taylor and Regina Hall.
“One Battle After Another” claimed the top spot at the box office when it hit theaters this September, and has since grossed over $200 million worldwide.
In addition to “One Battle After Another,” the NBR named 10 additional films as its best of the year: “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” “F1,” “Frankenstein,” “Jay Kelly,” “Marty Supreme,” “Rental Family,” “Sinners,” Train Dreams,” “Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery” and “Wicked: For Good.”
Another major NBR winner was “Bridesmaids” and “Neighbors” star Rose Byrne, who was named best actress for “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You.” She stars as a mother struggling with her child’s mysterious illness, an absentee husband and a hostile relationship with her therapist, played by Conan O’Brien.
NBR honorees will be officially celebrated at a gala on Jan. 13 in New York hosted by NBC News’ Willie Geist, just two days after the Golden Globes in Los Angeles on Jan. 11.
The National Board of Review, founded in 1909 and made up of film enthusiasts, filmmakers and academics, is considered an early bellwether of awards success, with past big winners including “Wicked,” “Killers of the Flower Moon,” “The Social Network” and “Slumdog Millionaire.”
See the full list of NBR honorees:
Best Film: One Battle After Another
Best Director: Paul Thomas Anderson, One Battle After Another
Best Actor: Leonardo DiCaprio, One Battle After Another
Best Actress: Rose Byrne, If I Had Legs I’d Kick You
Best Supporting Actor: Benicio Del Toro, One Battle After Another
Best Supporting Actress: Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, Sentimental Value
Best Directorial Debut: Eva Victor, Sorry, Baby
Breakthrough Performance: Chase Infiniti, One Battle After Another
Best Original Screenplay: Ryan Coogler, Sinners
Best Adapted Screenplay: Clint Bentley and Greg Kwedar, Train Dreams
Best Animated Feature: Arco
Best International Film: It Was Just an Accident
Best Documentary: Cover-Up
Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography: Autumn Durald Arkapaw, Sinners
Outstanding Achievement in Stunt Artistry: Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning
NBR Freedom of Expression Award: Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk
Top Films (in alphabetical order):
Avatar: Fire and Ash F1 Frankenstein Jay Kelly Marty Supreme Rental Family Sinners Train Dreams Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery Wicked: For Good
Top 5 International Films (in alphabetical order):
Left-Handed Girl The Love That Remains The Secret Agent Sentimental Value Sirāt
Top 5 Documentaries (in alphabetical order):
2000 Meters to Andriivka Come See Me in the Good Light My Mom Jayne Natchez Orwell: 2+2=5
Top 10 Independent Films (in alphabetical order):
The Baltimorons Bring Her Back Father Mother Sister Brother Friendship Good Boy If I Had Legs I’d Kick You The Mastermind Rebuilding Sorry, Baby Urchin
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