Best Picture: Gladiator In the Mood for Love
I dare you to find a film more hypnotic than Wong Kar-wai’s tale of Hong Kong neighbors, who suspect affairs from their husband and wife, respectively, then consider having one themselves. Laced with Nat King Cole music, colorful costumes and slow-motion Christopher Doyle cinematography, the camera keeps its distance as if the eyes of fate are watching. A brilliant piece of filmmaking.
Best Director: Steven Soderbergh (Traffic / Erin Brockovich)
The art of directing boils down to two main components: (a) a strategy of shot selection to express an overarching tone and vision; and (b) getting the best possible performances out of your actors. In 2000, Steven Soderbergh did both, winning the Best Director Oscar for his harrowing ensemble piece Traffic, while coaching Julia Roberts to a win for Best Actress in Erin Brockovich.
Best Actor: Russell Crowe (Gladiator)
Best Actress: Julia Roberts (Erin Brockovich) Ellen Burstyn (Requiem for a Dream)
Best Supporting Actor: Benicio del Toro (Traffic) Joaquin Phoenix (Gladiator)
Best Supporting Actress: Marcia Gay Harden (Pollack) Ziyi Zhang (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon)
Best Original Screenplay: Almost Famous Memento (Christopher and Jonathan Nolan)
Best Adapted Screenplay: Traffic Meet the Parents (Jim Herzfeld & John Hamburg from a 1992 script by Greg Glienna & Mary Ruth Clarke)
