Photo: Dave J Hogan/Getty;
Will SmithandRachel Zeglerearned the National Board of Review’s top acting honors.
The two were named as honorees in the 2021 NBR Awards announced on Thursday. Paul Thomas Anderson was also named best director forLicorice Pizza, with his film also taking the prize for best film.
Smith, 53, stars as Richard Williams, the father of tennis stars Venus andSerena Williams, in the biopicKing Richard, now in theaters and on HBO Max.
Zegler, 20, makes her film debut in Steven Spielberg’s film adaptation ofWest Side Storyas Maria, which hits theaters Dec. 10.
Anderson’sLicorice Pizzatells the story of a boy and girl growing up in the San Fernando Valley of California who fall in love in the 1970s. The movie stars Alana Haim, Cooper Hoffman,Bradley Cooper, Benny Safdie, Sean Penn and Maya Rudolph.
In a statement, NBR president Annie Schulhof said, “In a moment of transition and uncertainty, there is nothing likeLicorice Pizzato remind us of the joy, hope and exhilaration that great cinema can inspire. The NBR is honored to award the movie as its Best Film of 2021, as well as its brilliant creator, Paul Thomas Anderson, and all of our other awardees.”
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See below for the full list of 2021 award recipients.
Best Film:Licorice PizzaBest Director:Paul Thomas Anderson,Licorice PizzaBest Actor:Will Smith,King RichardBest Actress:Rachel Zegler,West Side StoryBest Supporting Actor:Ciarán Hinds,BelfastBest Supporting Actress:Aunjanue Ellis,King RichardBest Original Screenplay:Asghar Farhadi,A HeroBest Adapted Screenplay:Joel Coen,The Tragedy of MacbethBreakthrough Performance:Alana Haim & Cooper Hoffman,Licorice PizzaBest Directorial Debut:Michael Sarnoski,PigBest Animated Feature:EncantoBest Foreign Language Film:A HeroBest Documentary:Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)Best Ensemble:The Harder They FallOutstanding Achievement in Cinematography:Bruno Delbonnel,The Tragedy of MacbethNBR Freedom of Expression Award:Flee
RELATED VIDEO:Serena Williamsand Daughter Olympia Match in Sparkly Red Carpet Looks forKing RichardPremiere
Top Films:BelfastDon’t Look UpDuneKing RichardThe Last DuelNightmare AlleyRed RocketThe Tragedy of MacbethWest Side Story
Top 5 Foreign Language FilmsBenedettaLambLingui, The Sacred BondsTitaneThe Worst Person in the World
Top 5 DocumentariesAscensionAtticaFleeThe RescueRoadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain
Last year, the NBR named Spike Lee’sDa 5 Bloodsas the best film of the year and Lee as best director. Riz Ahmed won for best actor for his performance inSound of Metalwhile Carey Mulligan won best actress forPromising Young Woman.
Chadwick Boseman was posthumously given the NBR Icon Award.
source: people.com
