Board of Review Picks ‘American Beauty’

Heralding the arrival of the 1999 movie award season, DreamWorks’ dark comedy “American Beauty” was named best film of the year Wednesday by the National Board of Review of Motion Pictures.

The board, founded in 1909 and consisting of educators, writers, film historians and film students, also named Russell Crowe best actor for his role as the tobacco whistle-blower in “The Insider,” and Janet McTeer best actress for her performance as a colorful divorced mother in “Tumbleweeds.”

Philip Seymour Hoffman won best supporting actor for his work in both “Magnolia” and “The Talented Mr. Ripley,” and Julianne Moore was the recipient of the best supporting actress award for her work in “An Ideal Husband,” “A Map of the World,” “Cookie’s Fortune” and “Magnolia.”

Anthony Minghella was named best director for the thriller “The Talented Mr. Ripley.” “The Buena Vista Social Club,” Wim Wenders’ look at the personal and professional lives of a group of Cuban musicians based on the popular album, received best documentary honors.

Spanish director Pedro Almodovar’s latest, “All About My Mother,” was named best foreign film. Novelist John Irving won best screenplay for his adaptation of his novel “Cider House Rules.”

Best ensemble performance went to the cast of “Magnolia,” which includes Tom Cruise, Julianne Moore, Philip Seymour Hoffman, William H. Macy and John C. Reilly.

Hilary Swank (“Boys Don’t Cry”) and Wes Bentley (“‘American Beauty”) were honored for their breakthrough performances. Debut director honors went to Kimberly Peirce for “Boys Don’t Cry.”

The board’s top 10 list for best films of 1999 also included: “The Talented Mr. Ripley,” “Magnolia,” “The Insider,” “The Straight Story,” “Cradle Will Rock,” “Boys Don’t Cry,” “Being John Malkovich,” “Tumbleweeds” and “Three Kings.”

“Run Lola Run,” “East-West,” “Cabaret Balkan” and “The Emperor and the Assassin” were the runners-up for best foreign film.

The group also bestowed special mention on 10 independent features: “A Map of the World,” “A Walk on the Moon,” “Election,” “Go,” “Limbo,” “Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels,” “Man of the Century,” “Stir of Echoes” “This Is My Father” and “Twin Falls Idaho.”

National Board of Review also named the recipients of five special awards: Clint Eastwood received the Career Achievement Award, and John Frankenheimer the Billy Wilder Award. Tim Robbins received Special Achievement for Filmmaking in 1999 for “Cradle Will Rock,” and director Michael Mann the 1999 Freedom of Expression Award for “The Insider.” Joan Chen was the recipient of the International 1999 Freedom of Expression Award for her directorial debut, “Xiu Xiu.”

The awards will be presented Jan. 18 at Tavern on the Green in New York City. On Saturday, the Los Angeles Film Critics Assn. will choose its best of 1999.