An Outstanding Field of Choices Spreads the Wealth of the Realm.

12 Years a Slave won the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, BAFTA, award for FILM OF 2014.  It also won Leading Actor for Chiwetel Ejiofor. Well deserved, but that was it.  Out of eleven noms, it got two awards.  Gravity, also out of  eleven nominations, won six awards, including OUTSTANDING BRITISH FILM OF 2014. British film? If you say so… By the way, I read the screenplay for Gravity this morning and it took me back to that astonishing movie.

American Hustle had a good number, with three wins out of eight nominations, including Adapted Screenplay for David O. Russell and Eric Singer, and Supporting Actress for Jennifer Lawrence. The third one was for Makeup and Hair.  I guess that really was a nod to Christian Bale’s comb-over.  The lavish visuals of The Great Gatsby were recognized, with wins for Costume Design and for Production Design.

Biggest loser of the night, The Wolf of Wall Street: Four noms, no Brit love.

Biggest surprise: Barkhad Abdi. The Captain Phillips Supporting Actor won over the performances of Michael Fassbender, Bradley Cooper, Daniel Brühl and Matt Damon.

No surprise at all: Cate Blanchett, Leading Actress for Blue Jasmine.

Last two Awards Ceremonies: Independent Spirit (March 1) and the Academy (March 2)