Woody Harrelson, Crazy Heart, and Geoffrey Fletcher were the three first Spirit Award winners announced this evening in Los Angeles.
The Last Station's Christopher Plummer received enthusiastic applause at the ceremony, but Woody Harrelson won the Best Supporting Actor award for his performance in the Iraq War-related drama The Messenger (above). "I wasn't expecting this," Harrelson told the crowd. "I guess everyone says that but I really wasn't."
Scott Cooper's Crazy Heart, the tale of a troubled country singer played by Jeff Bridges was chosen as the Best First Feature of 2009. Bridges is also in the running in the Best Actor category.
Geoffrey Fletcher won for Precious adaptation. "Every time I see them," Fletcher said of the cast, "I become any audience member again." Directed by Lee Daniels, Precious stars Gabourey Sidibe and Mo'Nique. All three are up for Spirit Awards as well, and so is the film.
Crazy Heart is in the running for three Academy Awards on Sunday, including Best Actor. Precious is up for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress (Sidibe), Best Supporting Actress (Mo'Nique), and Best Adapted Screenplay.
Photo: The Messenger (Oscilloscope Laboratories)