'Brokeback Mountain' wins big in LA

Ang Lee's controversial western takes home the best film and best director honours.

Dec 12 2005

'Brokeback Mountain' was named film of the year by the Los Angeles Critics Association at the weekend.

The western, which is based on the short story by E Annie Proulx, also won Ang Lee the best director award, making it look increasingly like the favourite for next year's Academy Awards.

Phillip Seymour Hoffman was named best actor for his performance in 'Capote', while Vera Farmiga surprised everyone by taking home the best actress award for her performance in the little seen drama 'Down to the Bone'.

William Hurt won the best supporting actor award for 'A History of Violence', while Catherine Keener won best supporting actress for her turns in 'Capote', 'The 40-Year-Old Virgin', 'The Interpreter' and 'The Ballad of Jack and Rose'.

And in the screenplay category, the prize was split between Noah Bambauch's 'The Squid and the Whale' and Dan Futterman's 'Capote'.

Elsewhere 'Hidden' was named best foreign film, 'Grizzly Man' best documentary and 'Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit' best animated picture.