WWII epic Oppenheimer wins battle against Barbie at the Baftas as it scoops seven awards including Best Film and Actor
OPPENHEIMER won the battle against Barbie at the EE Baftas, scooping seven awards.
The epic thriller about the creation of the atomic bomb was named Best Film.
But Barbie missed out in every category, with stars Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling flying in from LA but leaving empty-handed.
Cillian Murphy, who played the title character J. Robert Oppenheimer, won the Leading Actor award, while Christopher Nolan took the Director prize.
And Cillian, 47, is the first Irish-born star to win the Leading Actor Bafta.
During his speech, where he referred to his co-stars as his Oppen-homies, he said: “Oppenheimer was this colossally knotty complex character.
“One man’s monster is another man’s hero. That’s why I love movies.”
It won awards for Original Score, Cinematography and Editing while Robert Downey Jr won best Supporting Actor.
Dark comedy Poor Things won five awards including Leading Actress for Emma Stone, 35.
She praised cast and crew, saying: “I can’t imagine this film with anyone else. I am in awe of all of you.”
Saltburn a grave oversight
BAFTA was unsurprisingly serious and stoical — with explosive epic Oppenheimer and wartime art house film The Zone of Interest scooping gongs.
While the former was, for me, a mighty fine piece of work, the latter made me, well, zone out.
And I feel a little peeved Saltburn did not get the nod for Outstanding British Film.
Its brilliant direction, hilarious script and incredible cast led by Barry Keoghan failed to resonate with the academy.
It was a joy to see the superb American Fiction, as well as Da’Vine Joy Randolph’s heartbreaking performance in The Holdovers getting the acknowledgment they deserved.
Emma Stone rightly took the Best Actress award for her role in Poor Things.
And it was a huge relief that Barbie did not take an award.
While it got bums on seats in cinemas, it is disconcerting that it is even getting a slot in the ceremonies listings.
Matt fans ‘snub’ fury
THE In Memoriam segment was criticised after Friends star Matthew Perry was omitted.
He died aged 54 in October but was missing from the emotional section which honoured those who have passed away in the past year.
Perry was also in movies including Fools Rush In, Almost Heroes, Three To Tango and 17 Again during a career lasting more than four decades.
One fan ranted online: “That man did so much for so many. You lot make me absolutely sick.”
