From a female perspective, Bradley Cooper and Daniel Craig make for a heady combination. And if the BAFTA nominations are anything to go by, they're even more potent from the critics' point of view.
Both men's films emerged as front runners when nominations for the British Oscars were announced on Tuesday morning. Bradley is poised to scoop Best Actor for his role in lost-soul romance, Silver Linings Playbook – a moving film where he plays a recently-released mental patient trying to claw his way back to love and happiness. Meanwhile, Daniel – aka uber-agent James Bond – will be pleased to note that the franchises' latest instalment Skyfall stamped its authority over the BAFTAs with a total of eight nominations spanning various categories. He wasn't given the nod for his own performance, but after years dedicated to Her Majesty's service, Bond is no doubt at peace with being part of the greater good. In a happy coincidence, both Bradley and Daniel met up at the National Board of Review Awards in New York the night before British critics heralded their achievements across the pond. Also present at the event – and on the BAFTA's shortlist – were a cross section of the all-singing, all-acting Les Miserables cast. As Bond and Bradley rubbed shoulders inside the Big Apple venue, Anne Hathaway channelled the masculine energy with an elegant black trouser suit, killer heels and an ambitious look of awards season triumph.
The star was BAFTA nominated in the big screen version of Les Miserables for her role as Fantine, for which she chopped off her long locks. Amanda Seyfried – her co-star in the musical extravaganza – was the epitome of feminine glamour as she posed for photographers inside. Her iconic character Cosette is Anne's on-screen daughter. There was no sign of their leading man Hugh Jackman. Even before the accolades and nominations started rolling in, both women were completely enamoured with the ambitious film adaptation of the classic musical, which documents the struggle of the proletariat in 19th-century France. Speaking at the glittering world premiere in London, Anne said: "It's just the sort of job you feel you should give your pay cheque back at the end of the week, it was such a dream and I can't believe I'm the girl that got to play Fantine." Rounding out the screen beauties was flame-haired siren, Jessica Chastain. The Help star is aboard the award season express for her role in Zero Dark Thirty – a C.I.A thriller which traces a ruthless analyst driving the capture of Osama Bin Laden.
