The British war-time drama Atonement led a crowded field of contenders as the Golden Globes nominations were revealed in Beverly Hills on Thursday, scooping nods in seven categories.
The critically acclaimed adaptation of author Ian McEwan’s bestselling novel won seven nominations, including best drama, and earned nods for James McAvoy in the best-actor category and his female co-star Keira Knightley.
In an unusual step, Golden Globes organisers named seven films instead of the usual five in the category for best motion picture drama, with Atonement joined by American Gangster, Eastern Promises, The Great Debaters, Michael Clayton, No Country for Old Men and There Will Be Blood.
The Golden Globes, the second-biggest awards show in Hollywood after the Oscars, are often viewed as a key indicator of likely winners at the Academy Awards, which take place on February 24 next year.
Behind Atonement with five nominations came director Mike Nichols’s Charlie Wilson’s War, which also earned nods for Tom Hanks as best comedy actor and Julia Roberts in the category for best supporting actress.
No Country for Old Men, which has scooped several critics’ awards already this year and is regarded as one of the favourites for the best-picture prize at the Oscars, earned four nominations.
The film’s directors, Joel and Ethan Coen, earned nominations for best director and for best screenplay, as well as best motion picture.
Unlike the Oscars, the Golden Globes splits its contenders into drama and musical categories.
Director Tim Burton’s dark retelling of Broadway musical Sweeney Todd earned four nominations, including best musical and best director. The film’s stars Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham-Carter both earned nominations in the musical categories. — Sapa-AFP