Ralph Fienne's week took a turn for the better yesterday when the newly dumped star of The Constant Gardener picked up a Best British Actor nod at the London Film Critics' Circle awards while co-star Rachel Weisz triumphed in the female category. Fiennes, who split from actress Francesca Annis on Tuesday following reports he is romancing a Romanian singer, was hailed for his role in the gritty political thriller.

Gay cowboy romance Brokeback Mountain grabbed an equal share of success with wins for Film of the Year and a Director of the Year award for its maker Ang Lee. Awards chairman William Russell said, "Brokeback Mountain has all the ingredients of a classic love story, except that the lovers are two young ranch hands who fall in love one summer while herding sheep, but go on to marry and have children, while continuing to meet over the years. Ang Lee has succeeded in presenting this highly controversial situation in an intelligent and sensitive fashion, and secured outstanding performances from the entire cast. It is a feat which has been rightly recognised."

Elsewhere, Downfall star Bruno Ganz picked up Actor of the Year for his mesmerizing portrayal of Nazi leader Adolf Hitler, while Naomi Watts won Actress of the Year for King Kong.

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)