NEW YORK, NY— 12/12/2005—The National Board of Review of Motion Pictures named “Good Night, And Good Luck” the 2005 Best Film of the Year. Directed by George Clooney and released by Warner Independent Pictures, “Good Night, And Good Luck” takes place during the early days of broadcast journalism in 1950s America. The film chronicles the real-life conflict between television newsman Edward R. Murrow and Senator Joseph McCarthy.
For Best Actor and Actress of 2005, the NBR honors two performers whose mesmerizing metamorphosis into their characters was truly inspiring. The 2005 Best Actor, Philip Seymour Hoffman, was selected for his performance in the title role of “Capote.” For the 2005 Best Actress honor, the NBR has selected Felicity Huffman for her performance in “TransAmerica.”
“Every year the NBR screens many wonderful films,” said President Annie Schulhof, “and it is always challenging to decide our top candidates. The 2005 Ten Best Films list reflects stories of human spirit, sacrifice, desire and political awareness, and also singles out the biopics of two extraordinary American artists. We are also proud to honor the special career achievements of Jane Fonda, Howard Shore, Saul Zaentz, David Cronenberg and George Feltenstein. The accounting firm of Konigsberg Wolf & Co., P.C. tabulated the actual ballots.”
The 2005 NBR Awards will be presented at the annual gala on Tuesday, January 10, 2006, at Tavern on the Green in New York City. Actor Paul Reiser will serve as the event’s Master of Ceremonies.
Formed in 1909, the National Board of Review of Motion Pictures is dedicated to film, foreign and domestic, as both art and entertainment. The NBR has supported free expression in motion picture arts for over 96 years when, in an effort to avoid government censorship of films, the National Board became the unofficial clearinghouse for new movies.