An air of predictability occurred at last night’s EE BAFTA Awards ceremony, as the Brits helped some films edge closer to Oscar glory.

Following its recent Golden Globe success last month, the epic coming-of-age drama Boyhood clinched three key awards, including the coveted Best Film accolade ahead of the likes of Birdman, and The Grand Budapest Hotel.

The film, which depicts the life of a young boy from his childhood to his late teens, also landed a Best Director prize for filmmaker Richard Linklater, while Patricia Arquette edged closer towards a potential Oscar victory by winning Best Supporting Actress award for her role as family matriarch Olivia Evans.

However, the period comedy The Grand Budapest Hotel ended up with the most awards on the night, as it clinched five, including Best Original Screenplay for absent filmmaker Wes Anderson.

The film also did well in the technical categories by winning Production Design, Costume Design, Makeup & Hair and an Original Music gong for composer Alexandre Desplat.

 

Meanwhile, The Theory of Everything stood out with a hat-trick of prizes, including another Leading Actor triumph for Eddie Redmayne and his portrayal of renowned physicist Dr. Stephen Hawking.

He said of the Hawking family:

“I want to thank them for their trust, their generosity and their kindness.

And for reminding me of the great strength that comes from having the will to live a full and passionate life.”

The biopic drama also clinched Best Adapted Screenplay, while also overcoming the likes of The Imitation Game and Paddington to win Outstanding British Film.

It was also three’s company for the music-based drama Whiplash, as it clinched wins for Editing, Sound and yet another Supporting Actor award for veteran J. K. Simmons and his dominant performance of music teacher Terence Fletcher.

Though her film is not released in the UK until next month, Julianne Moore moved a step closer towards ending her Oscar voodoo by nabbing another Leading Actress accolade for her role as Alzheimer’s sufferer Dr. Alice Howland in the drama Still Alice.

Collecting her award, she thanked “everybody in the Alzheimer’s community who were so generous with their time and telling me their experiences”.

Other noteworthy winners on the night included a Special Visual Effects triumph for Christopher Nolan’s sci-fi epic Interstellar, while the fact-based comedy drama Pride deservedly secured the Outstanding Debut by a British Writer/Director or Producer accolade for filmmakers Stephen Beresford and David Livingstone.

Beresford said it took him twenty years to persuade anyone the story’s elements “were the ingredients for a sure fire comedy smash”.

He added: “We do incredible things when we stand together – unite.”

Despite its shocking snub at the Oscars, The Lego Movie was named Best Animated Film, while the Polish drama Ida and the documentary Citizenfour were the respective winners of Best Film Not in the English Language and Best Documentary.

For the second year in a row, another young British male actor was the recipient of the EE Rising Star Award as Jack O’Connell (’71, Unbroken) won ahead of versatile opponents like Margot Robbie and Shailene Woodley.

Veteran British filmmaker Mike Leigh was awarded the BAFTA Fellowship for his outstanding contribution to cinema which included directing the likes of Secrets & Lies (1996), Vera Drake (2004), Happy Go-Lucky (2008) and last year’s Mr. Turner.

However, it was a disappointing evening for Oscar heavyweight Birdman as the Broadway satire managed just the one award for its cinematography, while the factual drama The Imitation Game went home empty-handed despite receiving a hefty nine nominations. Other multi-nominated films to come away without a BAFTA included Interstellar, Mr. Turner and Nightcrawler.

Once again, the ceremony was hosted exquisitely by comedian actor Sir Stephen Fry, who enjoyed sharing some kisses with male attendees and even had a fan-girl moment when he revealed that Tom Cruise was announcing the Best Film award.

The full list of EE BAFTA winners are…

BEST LEADING ACTRESS
Julianne Moore, STILL ALICE

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Patricia Arquette, BOYHOOD

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING (Anthony McCarten)

BEST EDITING
WHIPLASH

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
BIRDMAN