What Is 2000 National Board of Review Awards

Overview

The National Board of Review (NBR) Awards for 2000 recognized outstanding achievements in filmmaking from the year 1999. Despite the name '2000 awards,' they were announced in December 2000 to honor the best movies and performances released during the prior calendar year.

Established in 1909, the NBR is one of the oldest and most respected film organizations in the United States. Its early announcements often serve as a precursor to the Academy Awards, making its selections influential in the awards season conversation.

• Best Film was awarded to Spike Jonze’s surreal comedy Being John Malkovich, praised for its originality and bold narrative structure.
• Best Director went to Sam Mendes for American Beauty, a film that later won the Academy Award for Best Picture.
• Best Actor was given to Kevin Spacey for his transformative performance as Lester Burnham in American Beauty.
• Best Actress was awarded to Hilary Swank for her powerful role in Boys Don’t Cry, a performance that also earned her an Oscar.
• Best Foreign Language Film honor went to Pedro Almodóvar’s Spanish drama All About My Mother, a critical favorite internationally.

How It Works

The National Board of Review selects its annual winners through a voting process by a panel of film enthusiasts, academics, and professionals. The selections are independent and not tied to any studio or industry group, lending them credibility.

• Selection Process: A committee views hundreds of films released in the calendar year and narrows them down through discussion and voting.
• Announcement Timing: Winners are revealed in early December, making the NBR one of the first major groups to weigh in on awards season.
• Categories: The NBR honors 10 Best Films, as well as Best Director, Actor, Actress, and several specialized awards including Freedom of Expression and Breakthrough Performance.
• Freedom of Expression Award: Given to films that challenge societal norms; in 2000, it went to Boys Don’t Cry for its portrayal of transgender identity.
• Breakthrough Performance: This award recognized emerging talent, with 2000 honorees including Angelina Jolie for her role in Girl, Interrupted.
• Special Achievement: Occasionally, the NBR gives special honors; in 2000, Tom Hanks received a special award for his body of work and humanitarian efforts.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2000 NBR Awards compared with other major accolades of the season:

The NBR and the Oscars often align, but not always. In 2000, while both honored Spacey and Swank, the NBR chose Being John Malkovich as Best Film, whereas the Oscars favored American Beauty. This divergence highlights how different voting bodies prioritize artistic innovation versus mainstream impact.

Why It Matters

The 2000 National Board of Review Awards played a significant role in shaping the trajectory of awards season, spotlighting films and performances that resonated with both critics and audiences.

• Early Indicator: The December announcement made the NBR one of the first signals of which films might succeed during Oscar season.
• Critical Validation: Recognition from the NBR often boosted a film’s visibility and box office performance in limited releases.
• Diversity in Selection: By honoring Boys Don’t Cry and All About My Mother, the NBR highlighted LGBTQ+ narratives ahead of mainstream acceptance.
• Launchpad for Talent: The Breakthrough Performance award helped elevate careers, such as Angelina Jolie’s, to wider recognition.
• Influence on Studios: Winning an NBR award often prompted studios to increase marketing budgets for Oscar campaigns.
• Cultural Impact: The Freedom of Expression Award underscored cinema’s role in addressing social issues like gender identity and human rights.

Ultimately, the 2000 NBR Awards not only celebrated excellence in filmmaking but also influenced public discourse and industry momentum during a pivotal year in cinema history.