And They’re Off

Only a few months from the Oscars and - yup, you guessed it - the jockeying and shoving has begun in earnest. Beginning the streak of awards that precede the main event, the National Boad of Review of Motion pictures has kicked off the predictometer, naming Stephen Daldry's The Hours as best film of the year. Featuring what is very likely to be an Oscar-nominated turn from (a practically unrecognisable) Nicole Kidman, The Hours is three separate stories, set in different periods, all drawn together by the influence of Virginia Woolf's Mrs Dalloway. The Hours actress, Julianne Moore, scooped best actress award, but for her role in Far From Heaven. Campbell Scott, grabbed best actor for Rodger Dodger while Chris Cooper and Kathy Bates took the supporting gongs for Adaptation and About Schmidt respectively. A shoo-in for the Oscar shortlist, The Hours is definitely a hot contender to take something away on the night, but fellow favourites Chicago, Road to Perdition, Antwone Fisher and Gangs of New York, along with countless other likely names, will ensure that there's no clear winner ready to sweep 2003's line-up. Doubtless the picture will become clearer as the myriad other awards get handed out over the coming months so don't place your bets just yet. Watch this space.