"American Hustle" Tops 2013 New York Film Critics Circle Awards

by Amos Semien

American Hustle, the new film from director David O. Russell, is "Best Picture" of 2013, according to the New York Film Critics Circle.  The film won three awards, including honors for the screenplay (written by Russell and Eric Singer) and supporting actress for Jennifer Lawrence.  Lawrence won the best actress Oscar earlier this year for her performance in Russell's Silver Linings Playbook.  Steve McQueen won directing honors for 12 Years a Slave.  Robert Redford won "Best Actor" for his much talked about performance in the film, All is Lost.  Cate Blanchett continues the tradition of actress honored for their work in Woody Allen film, winning "Best Actress" for Blue Jasmine.

Founded in 1935, the New York Film Critics Circle is, according to their website, “an organization of film reviewers from New York-based publications that exists to honor excellence in U.S. and world cinema.”  Members are critics from daily newspapers, weekly newspapers, magazines, and online general-interest publications (that meet certain qualifications). Every year in December, Circle members meet in New York to vote on awards for the year's films.  The Circle also puts on an awards presentation, which will be held in January 2014 to honor 2013 winners.

The Circle was the first film critics organization that I encountered as a budding, young movie lover.  The Circle's awards have been predictors of the Oscar nominations. However, The Circle sees it awards “as a principled alternative to the Oscars, honoring esthetic merit in a forum that is immune to commercial and political pressures,” according to their website.

Here's the complete list of the 2013 Awards:

Best Picture - American Hustle

Best Director - Steve McQueen for 12 Years a Slave

Best Screenplay - Eric Singer & David O. Russell for American Hustle

Best Actress - Cate Blanchett for Blue Jasmine

Best Actor - Robert Redford for All Is Lost

Best Supporting Actress - Jennifer Lawrence for American Hustle

Best Supporting Actor - Jared Leto for Dallas Buyers Club

Best Cinematographer - Bruno Delbonnel for Inside Llewyn Davis

Best Animated Film - The Wind Rises

Best Non-Fiction Film (Documentary) - Stories We Tell

Best Foreign Film - Blue is the Warmest Color

Best First Film - Ryan Coogler for Fruitvale Station

Special Award: Frederick Wiseman

http://www.nyfcc.com/