Very quickly, these are my predictions for the British Academy Awards scheduled for 12th February. For a bit of variety, as well as including who and what I think will win, in some cases I’ve also noted who and what I would like to win (in some cases, they’re the same). This is not the same as saying who should win – after all, who am I to say what’s best? If I become a member of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, then I’ll be qualified (it could happen), but for now, I’m not so arrogant as to assume I know best. Anyway, enjoy the BAFTAs, and see if I’m right!
Best Film
The Artist
The Descendants
Drive
The Help
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
The Artist is set to continue its winning ways, which if nothing else is quite a novelty (the film, not its winning ways). But Drive gave me a particular thrill, and I’m glad to see it recognised at least with a nomination
Film Not in the English Language
Incendies
Pina
Potiche
A Separation
The Skin I Live In
Haven’t seen any of these, but A Separation is gathering the kudos so why doubt its continuance?
Outstanding British Film
My Week with Marilyn
Senna
Shame
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
We Need to Talk About Kevin
We Need to Talk About Kevin has been widely praised and I see the Academy rewarding it. I have only seen two of these, and wasn’t that impressed by My Week with Marilyn. TTSS, however, was excellent.
Director
The Artist – Michel Hazanavicius
Drive – Nicolas Winding Refn
Hugo – Martin Scorsese
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy – Tomas Alfredson
We Need to Talk About Kevin – Lynne Ramsay
It seems nothing can stop Michel Hazanavicius, but thanks for reminding us of the sheer range of cinematic wonder, Marty.
Leading Actor
Brad Pitt (Billy Beane) – Moneyball
Gary Oldman (George Smiley) – Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
George Clooney (Matt King) – The Descendants
Jean Dujardin (George Valentin) – The Artist
Michael Fassbender (Brandon) – Shame
It is Clooney’s time, methinks, and with The Artist attracting awards like a magnet, I think BAFTA may honour The Descendants here. But I love our Gary.
Leading Actress
Bérénice Bejo (Peppy Miller) – The Artist
Meryl Streep (Margaret Thatcher) – The Iron Lady
Michelle Williams (Marilyn Monroe) – My Week with Marilyn
Tilda Swinton (Eva) – We Need to Talk About Kevin
Viola Davis (Aibileen Clark) – The Help
Streep is easily the best thing in The Iron Lady, and it’s about time she won again.
Supporting Actor
Christopher Plummer (Hal) – Beginners
Jim Broadbent (Denis Thatcher) – The Iron Lady
Jonah Hill (Peter Brand) – Moneyball
Kenneth Branagh (Sir Laurence Olivier) – My Week with Marilyn
Philip Seymour Hoffman (Paul Zara) – The Ides of March
Tough one here, but Broadbent is the sort of chap/performance that BAFTA tend to reward, so I think it’ll be him. Philip Seymour Hoffman is always great, and especially acerbic and powerful in The Ides of March, so that would be nice.
Supporting Actress
Carey Mulligan (Irene) – Drive
Jessica Chastain (Celia Foote) – The Help
Judi Dench (Dame Sybil Thorndike) – My Week with Marilyn
Melissa McCarthy (Megan) – Bridesmaids
Octavia Spencer (Minny Jackson) – The Help
The Help is a terribly respectable film but only the acting is outstanding, so I see it getting rewarded here but nowhere else. But give an award to comedy for laughing out loud!
Animated Film
The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn
Arthur Christmas
Rango
Original Music
The Artist
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Hugo
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
The Artist tells so much with its music, plus it aids the nostaliga.
Original Screenplay
The Artist
Bridesmaids
The Guard
The Iron Lady
Midnight in Paris
Again, nothing stops the silent star. But come on, Bridesmaids is SO funny!
Adapted Screenplay
The Descendants
The Help
The Ides of March
Moneyball
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
TTSS gets thrown a bone – a fairly meaty one for a thoroughly meaty script.
Cinematography
The Artist
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Hugo
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
War Horse
There’s almost no limit to what you can do with a camera…
Editing
The Artist
Drive
Hugo
Senna
Tinker Tailor Solider Spy
Production Design
The Artist
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2
Hugo
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
War Horse
Make Up & Hair
The Artist
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2
Hugo
The Iron Lady
My Week with Marilyn
Costume Design
The Artist
Hugo
Jane Eyre
My Week with Marilyn
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Special Visual Effects
The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2
Hugo
Rise of the Planet of the Apes
War Horse
Documentary
George Harrison: Living in the Material World
Project Nim
Senna
Sound
The Artist
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2
Hugo
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
War Horse
Vincent's Views 