LONDON — The tragic World War II romance film "Atonement" dominated the race for the British Academy Film Awards, garnering nominations in 14 categories, including best picture, actor, actress and director.
"No Country for Old Men" and "There Will Be Blood" each received nine nominations, followed closely by "La Vie en Rose," which received seven nods, for Britain's equivalent of the Oscars, organizers announced Wednesday. "The Bourne Ultimatum" was next in line with six nominations.
Nominations for the noir western "No Country for Old Men" included best director for Joel and Ethan Coen and three best supporting performer nominations for Javier Bardem, Tommy Lee Jones and Kelly Macdonald.
Nods for the historical epic "There Will be Blood" included best actor for Daniel Day-Lewis.
"Atonement," which is adapted from Ian McEwan's literary tearjerker about an ill-starred romance played out against the backdrop of World War II, was nominated for best picture and best British picture. The film's stars, Keira Knightley and James McAvoy, are both up in the top acting categories, while Joe Wright received a nod for best director.
Last Sunday, "Atonement" won the best-picture prize at the Golden Globe Awards, but Knightley and McAvoy both lost in the top acting categories.
The best-picture nominees are: "Atonement," "There Will Be Blood," "No Country for Old Men," crime drama "American Gangster" and the German drama "The Lives of Others."
The best-actor contenders are: McAvoy, Day-Lewis, George Clooney for "Michael Clayton," Viggo Mortensen for "Eastern Promises" and the late Ulrich Muhe for "The Lives of Others."
The leading actress nominees are: Knightley, Cate Blanchett for "Elizabeth: The Golden Age," Julie Christie for "Away from Her," Marion Cotillard for "La Vie En Rose" and 20-year-old newcomer Ellen Page for "Juno."
"Ratatouille," "Shrek the Third" and "The Simpsons Movie" will battle it out in the Best Animated Film category.
The winner's of this year's BAFTA awards will be announced at London's Royal Opera House on Feb. 10.
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