Mad Max: Fury Road, the fourth film in the post apocalyptic franchise has been named the best film of 2015 by the National Board of Reviewers.
The NBR are a bit of a mash-up organisation compromising film enthusiasts, academics, film makers and students that pick yearly awards based on that years cinematic achievements. Each year they pick the film of the year and this year the female centred Fury Road has come out on top. Although this most definitely is not a precursor to Academy success, it is an interesting choice considering the huge split in opinion on the films release.
Mad Max: Fury Road sees Tom Hardy take on the lead role in place of the original Mel Gibson. Set in a post apocalyptic Australia the film sees Charlize Theron star as Furiosa, a strong female who rebels against the tyrannical ruler. Furiosa and Max (Hardy) cross paths and work together (begrudgingly) to try and cross the desert back to Furiosa’s homeland and potential saviour.
It is also interesting to highlight that Fury Road didn’t feature anywhere in the rest of the categories. The following are this years results:
Best Director: Ridley Scott – The Martian
Best Actor: Matt Damon – The Martian
Best Actress: Brie Larson – Room
Best Supporting Actor: Sylvester Stallone – Creed
Best Supporting Actress: Jennifer Jason Leigh – The Hateful Eight
Best Original Screenplay: Quentin Tarantino – The Hateful Eight
Best Adapted Screenplay: Drew Goddard – The Martian
Best Animated Feature: Inside Out
Breakthrough Performance: Abraham Attah – Beasts of No Nation & Jacob Tremblay – Room
Best Directorial Debut: Jonas Carpignano – Mediterranea
Best Foreign Language Film: Son of Saul
Best Documentary: Amy
William K. Everson Film History Award: Cecilia De Mille Presley
Best Ensemble: The Big Short
Spotlight Award: Sicario, for Outstanding Collaborative Vision
NBR Freedom of Expression Award: Beasts of No Nation & Mustang
Ridley Scott’s The Martian features highly in the wards, with Quentin Tarantino’s Hateful Eight receiving two awards, yet Fury Road doesn’t receive any awards other than Best Film.
