Days after the "Wicked" received an award for box office achievement at the Golden Globes, the National Board of Review held its annual gala in New York, honoring the cast and director of the smash-hit musical on Tuesday. The star-studded event showcased several nominees who did not win at the Globes, giving them a platform to present their acceptance speeches. Notable attendees included Daniel Craig, Kieran Culkin, and Nicole Kidman.
Nicole Kidman accepted the best actress award for her performance in the erotic thriller "Babygirl." In a celebratory gesture, she chugged a glass of milk on stage, a playful reference to the film's themes. After her triumphant moment, she shouted, "Good girl!" as she left the stage. The evening also featured tongue-in-cheek remarks directed at the Golden Globes, with presenter Christine Baranski humorously noting the classier atmosphere of Cipriani's, the elegant venue in Midtown, compared to the Beverly Hilton.
Jon M. Chu's "Wicked" dominated the awards, being selected as the best film, with Chu also receiving the best director award. Additionally, a special award was given to the creative collaboration of Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, who took turns praising one another during the ceremony. Chu reflected on his lengthy journey with "Wicked," which included the birth of his three children over its production span, mentioning that one was born on the day of the movie's premiere.
Ryan Reynolds humorously pointed out that Chu missed the film's premiere to attend the birth of his fifth child, contrasting it with his own experiences. The event subtly highlighted themes of community and togetherness, reflective of the political climate following the January 6 Capitol riot and just before the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump. Marc Platt, the producer of "Wicked," addressed the film's deeper significance, emphasizing the courage to speak truth to power in a time of division.
Craig, who won best actor for his role in Luca Guadagnino's adaptation of William S. Burroughs' "Queer," noted the importance of producing quality films for the industry's future, dedicating his award "to the dreamers in the room." The National Board of Review, established in 1909, is known for its unique award presentation style—each winner is introduced by a close friend or collaborator. This year, Robert Pattinson presented the breakthrough director award to India Donaldson for her debut film, "Good One," commending her as one of the most exciting filmmakers today.
Sofia Coppola presented the best supporting actress award to Elle Fanning for her role in "A Complete Unknown." Coppola remarked on Fanning's consistent talent since she met her as a child. The ceremony also featured surprises, such as John Lithgow, who introduced breakthrough performance winner Mikey Madison, praising her portrayal of a Brooklyn sex worker in the film "Anora." Madison humorously acknowledged Lithgow's unexpected compliment, describing her performance as "sexually athletic."
Lastly, Carol Kane presented the best animated film award to the enchanting Latvian film "Flow," which tells the story of a cat and other animals in a flooded world. Kane's initial hesitance about animation transformed into admiration as she called "Flow" a revelation, highlighting her fondness for animals as some of her favorite 'people.'
