'Greek Wedding,' 'Chicago,' 'Columbine' among writing nominees
Friday February 07, 2003By DAVID GERMAIN
AP Movie Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) Subjects ranged from the serious to the lighthearted as the Writers Guild of America announced its nominees for this year's movie and television awards.
Among the nominees announced Thursday for a best original screenplay award was Nia Vardalos, writer and star of ``My Big Fat Greek Wedding,'' the low-budget breakout film that has grossed $240 million.
Her competition includes: Antwone Fisher for his autobiographical drama ``Antwone Fisher,'' about coming to terms with childhood abuse; Michael Moore for ``Bowling for Columbine,'' his examination of gun violence in America; Todd Haynes for the 1950s melodrama ``Far From Heaven,'' which he also directed; and Jay Cocks, Steven Zaillian and Kenneth Lonergan for ``Gangs of New York,'' Martin Scorsese's 1860s vengeance epic.
Winners will be announced March 8.
Nominated for adapted screenplay were:
Peter Hedges, Chris Weitz and Paul Weitz for ``About a Boy,'' based on Nick Hornby's novel about a womanizer hitting on single moms. The Weitz brothers also directed.
Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor for ``About Schmidt,'' a comic drama of a widower taking stock of his life, adapted from Louis Begley's novel. Payne also directed.
Charlie Kaufman and his fictional twin brother Donald, who shares screen credit for the fractured Hollywood tale ``Adaptation,'' a whimsical take on Susan Orlean's book ``The Orchid Thief.''
Bill Condon for ``Chicago,'' adapted from Bob Fosse's stage musical about two jailed murderesses competing for headlines.
David Hare for ``The Hours,'' from Michael Cunningham's novel about author Virginia Woolf and two women in other time periods with connections to Woolf's ``Mrs. Dalloway.''
Among television contenders, episodes of ``Sex and the City'' took three of the seven nominations for comedy. The other series earning comedy nominations were ``The Bernie Mac Show,'' ``Scrubs,'' ``Frasier'' and ``Ed.''
Episodes of six dramas earned TV nominations: ``The West Wing,'' ``Six Feet Under,'' ``Resurrection Boulevard,'' ``ER,'' ``The Education of Max Bickford'' and ``The Sopranos.''
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