The National Board of Review has named Jon M. Chu's “Wicked” as the best film of the year, with Chu also winning the best director award for the lavish musical. The stars of the film, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, were recognized for their collaboration. The National Board of Review, a prestigious New York-based organization established in 1909, bestowed these honors in its recent awards announcement.
“Wicked” has already proven to be a box-office success and is now gearing up for an awards campaign that positions it as a strong contender for the upcoming Academy Awards. While the National Board of Review is independent of the film academy, this recognition provides “Wicked” with early momentum as it heads into the Golden Globe nominations.
NBR President Annie Schulhof praised “Wicked” for its enchanting qualities, highlighting the meticulous craftsmanship, exceptional performances by the actors, and outstanding music that collectively deliver a unique and captivating cinematic experience.
Other notable winners include Daniel Craig for best actor in Luca Guadagnino's “Queer” and Nicole Kidman for best actress in Halina Reijn's “Babygirl.” Kieran Culkin and Elle Fanning received awards for best supporting actor and actress, respectively.
The NBR Awards, scheduled for an untelevised gala on January 7 in New York, will honor a range of categories including best ensemble, breakthrough performance, directorial debut, original and adapted screenplay, spotlight award for creative collaboration, freedom of expression award, animated feature, international film, documentary, cinematography, and stunt artistry.
These awards from the National Board of Review add to the recent accolades received by various films and artists in the industry, including the Gotham Awards, New York Film Critics Circle, and Spirit Awards nominations. The recognition and acclaim garnered by these winners underscore the diverse and exceptional talent showcased in the world of cinema.
