`Full Monty' wins again

The Full Monty last night added to a triumphant year when it was named best film at the Evening Standard Film Awards. Its star Robert Carlyle (pictured) also won the best actor award.

The double plaudit comes on top of the news a few days ago that the film is Britain's biggest grossing picture yet at the British box office, taking pounds 47.8m and beating Jurassic Park at pounds 47.7m.

Last night's award ceremony at the Savoy Hotel in London was attended by stars including Kate Winslet, Jeremy Irons, Sir John Mills, Tim Roth and director Alan Parker. They also witnessed the rare sight at a British Awards ceremony of a prize going to a Mike Leigh film, as Karin Cartlidge won the best actress award for her part in Career Girls, Leigh's comic study of two female students meeting up some years after they graduated.

Mrs Brown, the portrait of the relationship between Queen Victoria and her ghillie, John Brown, starring Dame Judi Dench and Billy Connolly, won best screenplay.

The jury gave a special award to actor and director Kenneth Branagh in recognition of his four hour Hamlet, the best newcomer award went to Jude Law for Wilde, and a lifetime contribution award went to Roy Boulting, one half of the Boulting brothers, responsible for such vintage British comedies as Lucky Jim, I'm All Right Jack and The Family Way.

David Lister, Arts News Editor