Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

'Top Gun' named best film by National Board of Review

“Top Gun: Maverick,” 2022′s biggest box-office hit, has been named the best film of the year by the National Board of Review

Jake Coyle
Thursday 08 December 2022 20:10 GMT

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

“Top Gun: Maverick,” 2022's biggest box-office hit, has been named the best film of the year by the National Board of Review.

Though the National Board of Review, a long-running organization comprised of film enthusiasts and academics, has no overlap or correlation to other awards bodies, the win adds to the awards-season tailwinds for “Top Gun: Maverick” as not just a $1.5 billion worldwide smash but a legitimate Academy Awards contender. On Thursday, the Producers Guild Awards also announced that “Top Gun” star Tom Cruise will receive its David O. Selznick Achievement Award.

The National Board of Review, which announced its picks Thursday, additionally awarded best cinematography to Claudio Miranda for the “Top Gun” sequel.

Steven Spielberg was awarded best director for his autobiographical family portrait, “The Fabelmans.” Gabriel LaBelle, who plays a fictionalized stand-in for young Spielberg, also won for breakthrough performance.

“The Banshees of Inisherin” came away with the most wins from the board. Both of its stars, Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson, took acting honors for their performances as Irish friends who have an abrupt falling out. Writer-director Martin McDonagh won best original screenplay.

Michelle Yeoh took best actress for her lauded performance in Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert's “Everything Everywhere All at Once." Best supporting actress went to Janelle Monáe for Rian Johnson's “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery.”

Danielle Deadwyler, who plays Mamie Till-Mobley in Chinonye Chukwu's historical drama “Till,” also won for breakthrough performance. The Scottish filmmaker Charlotte Wells, whose first feature “Aftersun” has been one of the year's most critically acclaimed films, won best directorial debut.

Sarah Polley's “Women Talking” took the best ensemble award. The cast of the film, about a dialogue between a group of Mennonite women who have been sexually assaulted by the men of their village, includes Rooney Mara, Claire Foy, Jessie Buckley, Judith Ivey, Ben Whishaw.

Other awards included “Marcel the Shell With Shoes On” for best animated feature; Lukas Dhont's tender coming-of-age tale “Close” for best international feature; and “Sr.," Robert Downey Jr.'s tribute to his filmmaking father, for best documentary.

The NBR Awards will be handed out in an untelevised gala on Jan. 8. Last year, the group awarded Paul Thomas Anderson's “Licorice Pizza” best film.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in