By Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Sun-Times
March 12, 1996
“Leaving Las Vegas” co-stars Nicolas Cage and Elisabeth Shue each won top acting honors at the Chicago Film Critics Awards Monday night at the Park West. But best picture recognition went to Ron Howard’s “Apollo 13.”
Shue made no attempts to hide her pleasure at winning and said that growing up with three brothers (including Andrew Shue of “Melrose Place”) made trophy collecting a competition in her household. Often cast as the sweet ingenue (“Cocktail,” “Adventures in Babysitting,” “The Karate Kid”), Shue was perceived by some critics as being too pure to play the hardened prostitute in “Leaving Las Vegas.”
“By acknowledging my work, you’re also paying tribute to our director, Mike Figgis, without whom I wouldn’t be standing here,” said Shue, who wore a sleek black suit with flared trousers. “I know the film critics here are a tough crowd . . . so thank you very much.”
Actress Martha Plimpton – currently starring in Steppenwolf’s production of “The Libertine” – presented Nicolas Cage with the best actor award. Wearing a dark suit, Cage expressed surprise at all the attention the bleak “Leaving Las Vegas” has attracted.
“I never expected any of this,” Cage said. “It wasn’t (shown) at (the) Cannes (Film Festival) or the New York Film Fest, which said the movie was ‘too commercial.’ This little 16mm film means a lot to me.”
Perennial Oscar wallflower Oliver Stone also seemed pleased to be acknowledged as best director for the controversial film “Nixon.”
“I’ve never gotten a critics’ award – ever – and neither have any of the actors and crew who worked with me in my 20 years,” he said, clutching the trophy. “This is my first one . . . and I do care.”
Tongue firmly planted in cheek, Stone also said, “You should thank me, because I talked Elisabeth Shue out of playing Trisha Nixon.”
Chicagoans Joan Allen and Gary Sinise also were honored for their work. Allen won best supporting actress for her portrayal of the stoic former first lady Pat Nixon in “Nixon.”
“I’m usually reviewed by theater critics so this is a nice change,” said Allen, acknowledging her Steppenwolf background. “(`Nixon’) is a film I’m very proud to be a part of.”
Sinise, a co-founder of Steppenwolf, was given the “Commitment to Chicago” award for his body of work, which includes the recent box office hits “Forrest Gump” and “Apollo 13.” And on behalf of Mayor Daley, Maggie Daley was on hand to announce that March 12 is “Gary Sinise Day.”
“Mom and Dad – thank you so much for working so hard to give me this life,” Sinise said to his parents, who were sitting in the audience. ” `Gary Sinise Day.’ Who would ever have thought that?”
The Commitment to Chicago award is given annually to honor an individual whose artistic excellence helps raise the reputation of the city’s film and talent community. Sinise can add that to his collection of awards, which include a Golden Globe, Obie and a Joseph Jefferson Award.
Mouthy composer Randy Newman, who won honors for best original score for “Toy Story,” had the audience cracking up with lines such as, “If I don’t thank Disney, they’ll buy me and dispose of me.”
The eighth annual festivities were co-hosted by congenial comic actors Bonnie Hunt (“Bonnie”) and George Wendt (“Cheers”), who appeared to be under-rehearsed but relaxed. The winners were selected by 40 Chicago film critics, including the Sun-Times’ Roger Ebert.
