One pleasure of the swank New York Film Critics Circle dinner at Tao Downtown: the awards are announced well ahead of the early January date. This means that speeches are prepared; presenters get to, well, speak critically—and, at length. When MAY DECEMBER director Todd Haynes awarded scriptwriter Samy Burch, he went far to explain her unique strategy in engaging the audience. She in turn explained what he meant to her, as a fan of his work, for his decision to make this film, and as a model for how to be in this industry. All season, from the Gotham Awards and through his recent career achievement award and exhibition at the Museum of the Moving Image, Todd Haynes had been raving about Charles Melton’s sensitive performance in May December. Here, the winner for Best Supporting Actor, Melton is the IT man of the season.

Poised as her movie is on a roll, Best Actress winner Lily Gladstone, clad like a gold statue—(hint, hint), spoke about the Best Film, KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON. Already a winner at the Gothams, Martin Scorsese’s masterpiece remains a uniquely American story and tragedy: focusing on Oklahoma and how the discovery of oil there made the Native American landowners both wealthy and vulnerable to the deceits of white predators. Marty talked about how having the time during the pandemic to visit Oklahoma to take in the sights, and sound, and spirit, led to his decision to make this film of David Grann’s book.

Hard to beat at the Oscars, NYFCC’s Best Director winner Christopher Nolan’s OPPENHEIMER is “Killer’s” strongest contender, with the atom bomb’s origin story perhaps having more of an international resonance. Cinematographer Hoyte Van Hoytema was honored as well with Benny Safdie presenting. Van Hoytema apologized, “I did not write anything in my speech to thank the actors.”

Frederick Wiseman, winner for Best Documentary, for his MENUS-PLAISIRS-LES TROISGROS, zoomed in from his Paris apartment. At 94, he made a riveting epic-length film –and an appreciative appearance. Justine Triet’s ANATOMY OF A FALL won Best International Film with the New York critics. France did not put forward this excellent movie for the International Feature Oscar, but look for it on the Best Film list.

Da’Vine Joy Randolph triumphed in THE HOLDOVERS, making her an easy choice for Best Supporting Actress. Franz Rogowski won Best Actor for his role in PASSAGES, which I hope to screen soon. A star of many international films, Rogowski joked about his wardrobe in this one. He kept the clothes, he noted, but fearing how they’d fare on Berlin streets, he only dares to wear them at home. Best Actor, he was perfectly suited up for this swell awards night in New York.