At last night's London Evening Standard British Film Awards, Skyfall got the critical recognition it deserved. What with James Bond movies failing to make an impression where the Oscars are concerned, it's nice to see it pick up the gong for Film of the Year here. Then again, it is on home turf.
Hayley Atwell (Captain America) presented the award to Skyfall producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson. Sarah Sands, Editor of the Evening Standard said: 'Thanks in part to the extraordinary success of Skyfall - a truly big British movie, delivered with a panache Hollywood could envy - 2012 also highlighted the creativity, vision and talent of a new generation of British film-makers, actors and actresses.'
What's more significant to us Irish folk, however, are the wins for Irish productions. Starring an almost all Irish cast (though she herself is not Irish) Andrea Riseborough picked up the Best actress award for her stellar performance in James Marsh's IRA thriller, Shadow Dancer. She really blew us away with her potrayal of a woman caught very much between a rock and a hard place here so we're not at all surprised by this well deserved win.
And, of course, it's fantastic to see Lenny Abrahamson's What Richard Did earn itself yet another nod. Malcolm Campbell took home the award for Best Screenplay for his enthralling story. 'Transformers 4' star Jack Reynor was on hand to present the award for the movie which he can now thank for elevating him to the big leagues.
Below are the full list of winners.
FILM OF THE YEAR
'Skyfall' (Directed by Sam Mendes)
BEST ACTOR
Toby Jones ('Berberian Sound Studio')
BEST ACTRESS
Andrea Riseborough ('Shadow Dancer')
BEST SCREENPLAY
Malcolm Campbell ('What Richard Did')
LONDON FILM MUSEUM AWARD FOR TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT
Jacqueline Durran (Costume design), Sarah Greenwood (Production design), Seamus McGarvey (Cinematography) jointly for 'Anna Karenina'
PETER SELLERS AWARD FOR COMEDY
'Sightseers' (Director Ben Wheatley)
MOST PROMISING NEWCOMER
Sally El Hosaini (Writer/director 'My Brother the Devil')
BEST DOCUMENTARY
'The Imposter' (Bart Layton)
EDITOR'S AWARD
Sacha Baron Cohen for making every film an event