"Far From Heaven," "Thirteen Conversations About One Thing," "Adaptation" win multiple honors "Far From Heaven," the lush drama from writer-director Todd Haynes concerning a 1950s suburban American family in crisis, was voted Best Film of 2002 Thursday by the San Diego Film Critics Society. Runner-up for Best Film was the character drama "Thirteen Conversations About One Thing," co-written and directed by Jill Sprecher, who was voted Best Director by the society. Runner-up for Best Director was a tie between Haynes for "Far From Heaven" and Spike Jonze for "Adaptation."
The society, comprising professional print, television, radio and Internet film critics working in San Diego County, chose "Far From Heaven" star Julianne Moore as Best Actress for her performance as the mother whose perceived perfect family unravels. Voted as Best Actor was Daniel Day-Lewis, for his performance as a violent and headstrong neighborhood leader in "Gangs of New York," Martin Scorsese's film about ethnic conflicts and immigration in mid-19th century Manhattan.
Jack Nicholson was voted runner-up for Best Actor for his performance in "About Schmidt," while Maggie Gyllenhaal was voted runner-up for her performance in "Secretary." Michelle Pfeiffer, playing the controlling, imprisoned mother in "White Oleander," was voted Best Supporting Actress. Chris Cooper, who played the obsessed orchid expert in "Adaptation," was voted Best Supporting Actor. Karen and Jill Sprecher earned top honors for Best Original Screenplay for "Thirteen Conversations About One Thing." Charlie Kaufman, working from Susan Orlean's book "The Orchid Thief," won Best Adapted Screenplay honors for "Adaptation." (Also receiving official script credit is Kaufman's imaginary twin brother Donald). Winning for Best Cinematography was film legend Conrad L. Hall for "Road to Perdition." The society voted Alex McDowell winner for Best Production Design for his work on "Minority Report." Winner for Best Editing was Stephen Mirrione for "Thirteen Conversations about One Thing." Winning for Best Foreign Language Film was Spanish director Pedro Almodovar's "Talk To Her." The society also honored French actress Isabelle Huppert for her Body of Work excellence during 2002, citing her roles in "The Piano Teacher," "Les Destinees," "Merci Pour Le Chocolat" and "8 Women." Voting took place at the San Diego Historical Society in Balboa Park, currently featuring "Filming San Diego: Hollywood's Backlot, 1898-2002," an exhibit illustrating the city's role in movie history, showing through Summer 2003.
