D.C. critics choose 'Country'

'Men' named best picture, Clooney takes actor

By VARIETY STAFF

'No Country for Old Men'

On Sunday, the Washington, D.C. Area Film Critics Assn. announced its selection of "No Country for Old Men" as best film of 2007.

The Miramax/Paramount Vantage film won four awards including director for Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, acting ensemble and supporting actor for Javier Bardem.

George Clooney took the actor prize for his portrayal of an ethically challenged lawyer in Warner Bros.' "Michael Clayton," while Julie Christie was garnered the actress prize for her turn as an Alzheimer's patient in Lionsgate's "Away From Her."

Amy Ryan walked away with supporting actress kudos for "Gone Baby Gone" and Ellen Page was awarded breakthrough performance for her portrayal of a pregnant teen in "Juno."

The writing awards went to Aaron Sorkin for his adaptation of "Charlie Wilson's War" and Diablo Cody for her original screenplay for "Juno."

Miramax's "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" was named best foreign film; Disney/Pixar's "Ratatouille" was named best animated feature; and Michael Moore's "Sicko" from the Weinstein Co. was voted best documentary feature.

Paramount's "Sweeney Todd" was honored for art direction.

The Washington, D.C. Area Film Critics Assn. is comprised of 39 D.C.-based film critics from television, radio, print and the Internet.

FILM:
No Country for Old Men, Miramax & Paramount Vantage

FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM:
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly by Julian Schnabel, Miramax

DOCUMENTARY:
Sicko by Michael Moore, The Weinstein Company

DIRECTOR:
Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, No Country for Old Men

ACTOR:
George Clooney, "Michael Clayton"

ACTRESS:
Julie Christie, "Away from Her"

SUPPORTING ACTOR:
Javier Bardem, "No Country for Old Men"

SUPPORTING ACTRESS:
Amy Ryan, "Gone Baby Gone"

ENSEMBLE:
"No Country for Old Men", Miramax & Paramount Vantage

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY:
Aaron Sorkin, "Charlie Wilson’s War"

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY:
Diablo Cody, "Juno"

ANIMATED FEATURE:
"Ratatouille" by Brad Bird, Disney & Pixar

BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCE:
Ellen Page, "Juno"

ART DIRECTION:
Dante Ferretti for "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street," Paramount