Netflix’s The Irishman has been named the best film of 2019 by the National Board of Review, it was announced today.
The film was also honored with best adapted screenplay, for writer Steven Zaillian, with director Martin Scorsese and stars Robert De Niro and Al Pacino set to receive an “Icon Award, which NBR introduced this year to honor “cinematic artists who have contributed meaningfully to the history, culture, and excellence of motion pictures.”
The NBR honors for Scorsese’s highly-anticipated, long-in-the-works crime epic come after the film was recognized with nominations for the AARP’s Movies for Grownups Awards and honors at the Palm Springs and Santa Barbara film festivals and Hollywood Film Awards. The Irishman has received stellar reviews, boasting a 96 percent freshness rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and is currently streaming on Netflix after hitting theaters on Nov. 1.
The Irishman plaudits also come less than 24 hours after Netflix had a big night at the Gotham Independent Film Awards, with one of its other movies, Noah Baumbach’s Marriage Story, winning four awards in a sweep. Marriage Story was listed as one of NBR’s top films of the year.
Other multiple honorees include Warner Bros.’ Richard Jewell, Sony’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and A24’s Uncut Gems, which were each honored with two awards. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood helmer Quentin Tarantino was named best director with Brad Pitt also taking best supporting actor honors. Renée Zellweger was named best actress for her work in Judy and Uncut Gems‘ Adam Sandler was named best actor.
(Excerpt) Read more & see a full list of recipients in: The Hollywood Reporter