With "Atonement," Christopher Hampton has written one of the most masterful adaptations of the year. (The other is "No Country for Old Men." See a pattern?) He had some good dish for the GoldDigger. Originally, director Joe Wright wanted Keira Knightley to play Briony at age 18. But Keira, who knew the director from "Pride and Prejudice," asked him to play Cecilia. Of course, the role of Briony at 18 went to Romola Garai. The role of Briony at 13 is played by Saoirse Ronan (pictured above). Both actresses nail their performances, although at one point there was talk of having the same actress play young Briony. "The single most appropriate decision was to acknowledge the first half of the movie was about a child and to ground the movie by having a child play the part," Hampton said. If this all isn't confusing enough, there's a third part, older Briony, played by Vanessa Redgrave. Which Briony will get nominated for an Oscar? The smart money is on Saoirse.

I saw "Margot at the Wedding" last night. Oh, gosh. It's a smart, fierce little movie, with an emphasis on little. Nicole Kidman gives a very good performance--her best is "Moulin Rouge," followed by "To Die For," followed by "The Hours," and this fits somewhere around "The Portrait of a Lady" and "Eyes Wide Shut." Jennifer Jason Leigh should have a shot in the supporting actress category, if enough Academy members watch their screeners. Jack Black might have a shot at the Razzie.

Ben Affleck's directorial debut "Gone Baby Gone" is full of many things--good performances, suspense, Boston accents. But a screening I attended last night was not full of people. In its first four days, the film has only grossed $6.5 million at the box office, better than "Rendition" but nowhere near "Michael Clayton" or that vampire movie. Casey is good, though the acting category is so crowded this year, watch for him to be rewarded for both performances with a best supporting nod for "The Assassination of Jesse James." Amy Ryan might slip in for best supporting actress.