It's been a long time, but Daniel Day-Lewis was a winner again yesterday, taking the Best Actor prize at the Screen Actors' Guild awards in Los Angeles for his performance in There Will Be Blood. Since it's a union event, this was one of this year's only awards ceremonies actually attended by the stars. Many say that it's the event which means the most to them, as it represents respect from their peers, and Day-Lewis was emotional about receiving his award, dedicating it to Heath Ledger, who died last week.
"That scene in the trailer at the end of the film is as moving as anything I think I've ever seen," Day-Lewis said, referring to Ledger's performance in Brokeback Mountain.
Winner of the award for best actress was Julie Christie, who stunned audiences with her moving portrayal of a dementia sufferer in Away From Her. "It's lovely to receive an award from your own union, especially at a time when we're being so forcefully reminded how important unions are," she commented.
The award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture was won by the Coen brothers' No Country For Old Men, which also attracted a Best Supporting Actor award for Javier Bardem. The latter grinned enthusiastically upon receipt of his award and thanked his directors for "choosing the good takes instead of the ones where I really sucked".
Best Supporting Actress was won by Ruby Dee for American Gangster.
