King's Speech takes film critics' award to boost Oscar hopes

A MOVIE about the British monarch The King's Speech has earned a clutch of accolades from the influential Los Angeles Film Critics Association, raising anticipation of its prospects for the Golden Globes and Oscars.

By The Newsroom

Published 13th Dec 2010, 19:29 BST

Updated 13th Dec 2010, 19:29 BST

Colin Firth, who plays the Queen's father, George VI as he struggles to overcome a debilitating stammer, scooped the best actor award, and Geoffrey Rush, who plays his speech therapist Lionel Logue, was runner-up as best supporting actor. Behind the cameras, David Seidler was runner-up in the best screenplay category.

The King's Speech and Facebook drama The Social Network, which was named the year's best picture, are both tipped for Oscars.

The runners-up were Olivia Williams for the thriller The Ghost Writer and Geoffrey Rush for The King's Speech.

The Social Network won two other honours. Aaron Sorkin earned the best-screenplay prize, while composers Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross shared the award for best musical score with Alexandre Desplat for The Ghost Writer.

Winners will be honoured at a ceremony in Los Angeles on January 15.

Golden Globes