‘The Hours’ earns season’s first nod

The race leading to Oscar gold began Wednesday when “The Hours,� director Stephen Daldry’s poignant drama based on Michael Cunningham’s novel, which was itself based on Virginia Woolf’s “Mrs. Dalloway,� was named best picture of 2002 by the National Board of Review of Motion Pictures. The Paramount release, which stars Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman and Julianne Moore, opens Dec. 27.

The first organization to announce its picks for best of the year, the National Board of Review is made up of educators, writers, film historians and film students.

Last year, the group chose “Moulin Rouge� as best picture, and it went on to be nominated for numerous Academy Awards. Its best actress last year, Halle Berry, won the Oscar for “Monster’s Ball,� as did supporting actor Jim Broadbent for “Iris.�

The board selected dark horse Campbell Scott as best actor for his role as a cynical New York advertising executive who learns about love from his nephew in the independent film “Roger Dodger.� Scott beat out such favorites as Jack Nicholson for “About Schmidt� and Michael Caine for “The Quiet American.� Scott’s father, the late George C. Scott, won the best actor accolade from the board 32 years ago for “Patton.�

Julianne Moore was named best actress for her performance as a ‘50s housewife who discovers her husband is gay in Todd Haynes’ lush melodrama “Far From Heaven.�

Chris Cooper was named best supporting actor for his performance as an eccentric orchid thief in the comedy “Adaptation,� and Kathy Bates won best supporting actress for her colorful free spirit in the comedy-drama “About Schmidt.�

Australian Philip Noyce picked up best director honors for two films currently in release, “The Quiet American,� based on Graham Greene’s 1955 novel, and “Rabbit-Proof Fence,� a drama about the Australian government’s forcible removal of mixed-race aboriginal children from their families.

Charlie Kaufman was named screenwriter of the year for “Adaptation,� “Confessions of a Dangerous Mind� and “Human Nature.�

Best documentary honors went to Michael Moore’s controversial “Bowling for Columbine,� while Hayao Miyazaki’s “Spirited Away� from Japan took best animated feature. Rob Marshall was honored as best directorial debut for the musical “Chicago.�

Pedro Almodovar’s “Talk to Her� was named best foreign film.

The cast of the upcoming version of “Nicholas Nickleby� won honors for best acting by an ensemble. Derek Luke won for breakthrough performance in Denzel Washington’s “Antwone Fisher,� which will be released later this month; Maggie Gyllenhaal won the corresponding actress nod for “Secretary.�

Honorees will receive their awards Jan. 14 in New York City.