The detective story “L.A. Confidential” was named the year’s best film Tuesday and Jack Nicholson and Helena Bonham Carter received the top acting honors from the National Board of Review, some of a host of early film awards that are often precursors of the Oscars. “L.A. Confidential,” which stars Kevin Spacey and Russell Crowe as detectives in 1950s Los Angeles, also won best director honors for Curtis Hanson.
Nicholson was named best actor for “As Good As It Gets,” in which he plays a cynical, aging writer romancing waitress Helen Hunt. Bonham Carter was named best actress for her performance in “The Wings of the Dove.” Best supporting actor was Greg Kinnear, who played a gay artist in “As Good As It Gets,” and best supporting actress was Anne Heche, who was honored for her roles in two films, “Wag the Dog” and “Donnie Brasco.” Richard Gere and Jon Avnet received the 1997 “Freedom of Expression” award for “Red Corner.”
