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She was pilloried for gushing her way through a breathless winner's speech when she picked up two Golden Globes. But Kate Winslet was much better prepared (if no less thrilled) when she at last collected a best actress trophy at the Bafta film awards ceremony in London.
Winslet, 33, who had earlier admitted that she had a Bafta speech prepared, took the prize for her lead role in The Reader, beating a powerhouse of big-name Hollywood actresses including Meryl Streep and Angelina Jolie. Winslet was also nominated in the category for her part in Revolutionary Road, directed by her husband Sam Mendes.
Rushing to the stage with a whoop, she started her speech with businesslike briskness, thanking her family and friends with just the faintest of quivers to her voice, adding that if she looked in the direction of her parents, "I really will burst into tears".
"To be given this award at home really means a great deal to me. Thank you, Bafta," Winslet added at the ceremony in Covent Garden.
Last month, Winslet was criticised for her overlong, tearful acceptance speech at the Golden Globe ceremony in America. Afterwards, she admitted: "Clearly, I should have prepared a speech because I didn't think that was going to happen."
Danny Boyle's film Slumdog Millionaire scooped seven Baftas from 11 nominations, leading to predictions of a British triumph at the Oscars later this month.
The Baftas are seen as indicative of the movies likely to be recognised at the Academy Awards. Winslet has an Oscar nomination for her role in The Reader, in which she plays a former Nazi prison guard, while Slumdog Millionaire is shortlisted 10 times. The film took the award for best film and Boyle was named best director.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, a fantasy film about a man who ages in reverse, scooped three Baftas out of a possible 11.
Mickey Rourke won best actor for his performance in The Wrestler. Heath Ledger was posthumously named best supporting actor for his performance as the Joker in The Dark Knight, which was nominated for nine Baftas. Charles Roven, the film's producer, collected the prize on Ledger's behalf.
Penelope Cruz won best supporting actress for her role in Vicky Cristina Barcelona, while Wall-E won best animated film.
* Bafta winners
Best film: Slumdog Millionaire
Leading actor: Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler
Leading actress: Kate Winslet, The Reader
Supporting actor: Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight
Supporting actress: Penelope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Director: Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire
Animated film: Wall-E
- INDEPENDENT
