Artist Wins 4 Trophies At Critics Choice Awards

First Published: January 13, 2012 9:18 AM EST Credit: The Weinstein Company Caption Jean Dujardin and Berenice Bejo in Weinstein Companys The Artist, 2011LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- The Artist waltzed away with its first wins of Hollywoods awards season. The black-and-white ode to the silent-film era directed by Michel Hazanavicius led winners with four honors at Thursdays 17th annual Critics Choice Awards, which are presented by the 250 members of the Broadcast Film Critics Association. The Artist took the evenings top prize, best picture, as well honors for best score, costume design and director. I made a silent movie, French director Hazanavicius joked in English while accepting the award for best picture. I dont like to speak so much. The Help, the adaptation of Kathryn Stocketts best-selling novel about black maids speaking out about their white employers during the civil-rights movement, followed behind The Artist with three wins in the ceremonys acting categories: Viola Davis as best actress, Octavia Spencer as best supporting actress and the films cast as best acting ensemble. I absolutely knew I wanted to be an actor because I wanted to be somebody, an emotional Davis said accepting her award. I wanted to dream big and make a mark somehow. Thats something absolutely that Aibileen was not afforded. I considered it my honor to pay homage to these women at this time period who were not allowed to dream and not allowed to find their purpose. Others who accepted trophies at the lavish Hollywood Palladium ceremony included George Clooney as best actor for The Descendants, Christopher Plummer as best supporting actor for Beginners and Thomas Horn as best young actor for Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. Frankly, I didnt even imagine I would get this, but I have, beamed a surprised Horn. Funnymen Paul Scheer and Rob Huebel hosted the ceremony, which was broadcast live on VH1. Other winners included Bridesmaids as best comedy movie, Drive as best action movie, Rango as best animated feature, Midnight in Paris as best original screenplay, Moneyball as best adapted screenplay, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo for best editing and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 for best makeup and best sound. Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.