DANNY Boyle’s Oscar-tipped rags-to-riches tales Slumdog Millionaire was the big winner at the Critics’ Choice Awards in California, winning five prizes on Thursday (January 8, 2009).

The film won best film and director, as well as best young actor (for Dev Patel), best writer (for Simon Beaufoy) and best composter.

The film follows the fortunes of a slumdog kid who becomes the unlikely winner of India’s Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? and is already a festival favourite and audience hit on both sides of the Atlantic.

Commenting on the prizes, director Boyle – whose past credits include Trainspotting and Sunshine – said he was amazed to see how generous critics had been to his film and described it as “a love song” to Mumbai.

Further awards

Another big winner on the night was record-breaking Batman sequel, The Dark Knight, which picked up two awards – for best action movie and best supporting actor, for the late Heath Ledger.

When the latter prize was announced, the crowd gave a standing ovation to the film’s director, Christopher Nolan, who accepted the award on Ledger’s behalf.

He told the audience: “I can’t presume to speak for him. His voice was as unique as it was original.”

But he said that working with the star, who died of an accidental drug overdose a year ago, “was one of the greatest experiences any of us ever had or will have”.

“His contributions to cinema should be greatly appreciated, so thanks for this appreciation.”

Another double winner was Sean Penn, who was named best actor for his role in Milk, a drama about California’s first openly-gay elected politician, Harvey Milk. He also shared the acting-ensemble award for the film.

Kate Winslet was also named best supporting actress for her role as a Nazi war criminal in The Reader, although she was not present to collect her award.

The best actress award, meanwhile, was tied between Meryl Streep, for Doubt, and Anne Hathaway, for indie hit Rachel Getting Married.

Pixar’s masterpiece Wall-E took the best animated feature, while Ben Stiller’s Tropic Thunder was named best comedy.

Richard Gere also received a standing ovation when he accepted the Joel Siegel award, which recognises an entertainer’s humanitarian efforts.

The Critics’ Choice Awards are organised by the Broadcast Film Critics’ Association and are ofted cited as one of the most reliable indicators of Oscar success.

The nominations for the 2009 Oscars will be announced on January 22. All eyes now turn to the Golden Globes, however, which will be announced on Sunday, January 11, 2009.

• Delicious
• Digg
• Reddit
• Facebook
• Stumbleupon