NEW YORK — Shortly after winning an award for box office success at the Golden Globes, “Wicked” was celebrated again at the National Board of Review (NBR) Awards, where its cast and director received accolades during the gala held on Tuesday night in New York. The NBR Awards, known for their star-studded but untelevised nature, provided a platform for nominees who didn’t take home trophies at the Golden Globes, including Daniel Craig, the ensemble from “Wicked,” and Nicole Kidman.
In a memorable moment, Nicole Kidman claimed the best actress award for her role in the erotic thriller “Babygirl.” In a playful celebration, she drank a glass of milk, referencing some of the film’s risqué themes. After finishing her drink, she raised her glass and humorously exclaimed, “Good girl!” before exiting the stage.
The NBR gathering allowed for some light-hearted commentary about the Golden Globes. Presenter Christine Baranski quipped, “Isn’t this room just a little bit classier than the Beverly Hilton?” while taking in the elegance of the Cipriani venue adorned with marble columns. However, some attendees preferred not to romanticize the traditional New York atmosphere, as Kieran Culkin commented on the outdated presence of bathroom attendants during his acceptance speech for best supporting actor for “A Real Pain.”
The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly Jon M. Chu’s “Wicked,” which was awarded best film and best director for Chu. The creative collaboration of Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande also received special recognition during the ceremony. The two stars exchanged loving remarks, with Grande adding, “Also you’re welcome. I truly think you would have murdered anyone else,” to which Erivo humorously agreed, “Probably true.”
Introduced by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Chu took a moment to reflect on his extensive journey with “Wicked,” noting that he welcomed three children during the making of the film, including one born on the day of its premiere. “No twins, same mom,” he joked in response to the audience’s whispers.
Ryan Reynolds, a known supporter of the musical, further highlighted the director’s dedication by mentioning that Chu missed the premiere to be present for the birth of his fifth child. “I barely made it to the inception of my own children,” Reynolds joked, adding a personal touch to the evening.
Throughout the night, the themes of community and unity prevailed, especially poignant coming just after the anniversary of the January 6 Capitol riot and ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s impending inauguration. Producer Marc Platt spoke about “Wicked”’s underlying messages, emphasizing the importance of speaking truth to power and standing against division.
Craig, who won the best actor award for his role in the film adaptation of William S. Burroughs’ work, remarked optimistically about the industry, stating, “We are in good shape.” He expressed hope that if films like “Wicked” continue to be made, the cinematic landscape would flourish, dedicating his award “to the dreamers in the room.”
A signature of the NBR Awards, established in 1909 by avid film enthusiasts, is the unique introduction of award winners by a close friend or collaborator. Robert Pattinson made a surprise appearance to present the breakthrough director award to India Donaldson for her impressive debut, “Good One,” calling her “one of the most exciting filmmakers working today.”
Sofia Coppola awarded the best supporting actress title to Elle Fanning for her performance in “A Complete Unknown” and noted their longstanding connection since Fanning starred in “Somewhere” as a child. Meanwhile, John Lithgow introduced breakthrough performance winner Mikey Madison, who portrayed a Brooklyn sex worker in “Anora.” Lithgow’s compliments, one of which humorously referred to Madison as “sexually athletic,” prompted laughter from the audience, including the 25-year-old actress herself.
Carol Kane presented the best animated film award to “Flow,” a captivating Latvian movie about a cat navigating a flooded world. Initially unsure about her role in presenting animation awards, Kane eventually described “Flow” as enlightening, declaring, “Animals, for a long time now, have been some of my favorite people.”
