Brits gunning for gongs
February 13, 2002

By Cathy Mayer

THE British look set for a clean sweep at this year's Oscars with nominations for eight actors, including previous Oscar winners Dame Judi Dench, Dame Maggie Smith and Sir Ben Kingsley.

But despite honours in all four acting categories, as well as a Best Director nomination for Ridley Scott, hopes to bring home those coveted golden statuettes could come to nothing given past history. High expectations for British nominees were dashed last year as the Americans dominated once again. There were five acting and directing nominations but no Brits won.

Charles Gant, film editor of Heat, is certain that the US nominees will have the edge. "The year Marisa Tomei won Best Actress for My Cousin Vinny, she was up against four non-American actresses and yet she won."

However, past winner Dame Judi Dench is tipped by US critics to add to her trophy collection for Best Actress for her depiction of author Iris Murdoch.

Gant also believes Tom Wilkinson will lose out to Russell Crowe.

Brits outnumber the Americans in the Best Supporting Actor category with three nominations - Golden Globe winner Jim Broadbent who plays Murdoch's husband John Bayley, Sir Ben Kingsley appears for Sexy Beast along with Sir Ian McKellen, previously nominated for Gods and Monsters.

Gant feels Ridley Scott is unlikely to repeat his success with Gladiator this year with strong competition from Robert Altman for Gosford Park.

Kate Winslet, who plays the younger Iris, will be hoping to turn her third nomination, this year for Best Supporting Actress, into success, after nominations for Titanic and Sense and Sensibility.

Source: The Irish Examiner