New York Film Critics Circle names Boyhood best picture of the year

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

Now that we are in December, it is time for the various critical awards to begin naming their best of lists for 2014. While most of these will have no bearing on who will eventually win the Oscar for Best Picture, they definitely can indicate the finalists for that honor. With many already proclaiming Richard Linklater's BOYHOOD a masterpiece, it now has it's first title of the season.

The New York Film Critics Circle has named BOYHOOD their Best Picture of the Year and Linklater as Best Director. The movie may not fit the traditional meaning of the cinematic phrase "epic", but Linklater's twelve year odyssey to film the growth of a young man from child to adult using the same actors over the entire journey is unlike anything ever filmed before.

The NYFCC is one of the most recognized awards given out at this time of year and their opinion means a lot. But, as I said before, it doesn't guarantee an Oscar. Last year they named AMERICAN HUSTLE as the best film and that movie lost to 12 YEARS A SLAVE. BOYHOOD may not win Oscar glory, but it definitely is a film that must be seen. It is a powerful and unique film experience.

For the full list of 2014 NYFCC winners, see the list below.

Best Picture: 
Boyhood
 
Best Director:
Richard Linklater, Boyhood
 
Best Screenplay:
The Grand Budapest Hotel
 
Best Actress: 
Marion Cotillard, The Immigrant and Two Days, One Night

Best Actor: 
Timothy Spall, Mr. Turner
 
Best Supporting Actress:
Patricia Arquette, Boyhood

Best Supporting Actor:
J.K. Simmons, Whiplash
 
Best Foreign Language Film:
Ida
 
Best Cinematography:
Darius Khondji, The Immigrant

Best Nonfiction Film:           
Citizenfour
 
Best First Film: 
Jennifer Kent, The Babadook

Best Animated Film:
The Lego Movie
 
Special Award:
Adrienne Mancia