Chicago film critics pick Crash
Filed under: Documentary, Drama, Romance, Thrillers, Awards, Newsstand, Trophy Hysteric
In what might be called a surprising move, the Chicago Film Critics Association yesterday
turned its back on the critically trendy Capote
and Brokeback Mountain and instead named
Paul Haggis' Crash
their best picture of 2005. Based on the words of the group's chairman, it sounds like the voice of one particular
Chicago critic had a disproportionate amount of power during decision-making time. Said Dan Gire, "Roger Ebert's
over-the-top enthusiasm for the film's quality and message had a great deal to do with providing us the impetus to
award it best film." Hmm. So, do they do a ballot-based vote, or just sort of sit in a room, push their favorites,
and then raise their hands? It's not as if the latter isn't OK, it's just unclear from the article exactly how things
work - perhaps Mr. Ebert can come by and clarify things for us.In another break with the mainstream, the CFCA named Joan Allen - an incredibly gifted actress whose lack of recognition has always been completely baffling - best actress for her work in The Upside of Anger. (Good for them - it's about damn time someone gave that woman an award.) The other major categories, however, offered no surprises: Philip Seymour Hoffman was their best actor, David Cronenberg best director, and Grizzly Man best documentary.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-10-2006 @ 1:17PM
Roger Ebert said...
You wonder if the Chicago critics all sit in a room and raise our hands to vote. No, actually, it's a balloting process, by mail or e-mail, and we can vote for one, two or three entries in each category, which are awarded points on a descending scale. Therefore, when "Crash" won as best film, it was a majority vote reflecting the membership. My fellow Chicago critics do a splendid job of thinking for themselves. If I am so damn influential, why in the world wasn't Amy Adams honored as best supporting actress?
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1-10-2006 @ 9:54PM
Doug said...
Thank you Mr. Ebert for making my day. Your comment is priceless. (But I do disagree with you and your felllow critics on "Crash")
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