Best Adapted Screenplay

Atonement	Christopher Hampton	GG	2, 1
Away From Her	Sarah Polley		1, 0
Diving Bell and the Butterfly	Ronald Harwood	GG, WGA	3, 1
No Country For Old Men	Ethan, Joel Coen	*NYFC, *NBR, *GG, *WGA	3, 1 [each]
There Will Be Blood	Paul Thomas Anderson	WGA	3, 0

I see no hope for Atonement or Away From Her. Neither was picked by the Writers’ Guild, and while Away will be taken care of in the Best Actress category, Atonement is likely to lose out on everything. There’s a small chance for Diving Bell, though its lack of a Best Picture nomination is a setback, and Ronald Harwood just won this award 5 years ago for The Pianist. There’s a really good chance There Will Be Blood could steal. Sure, NCFOM has a stranglehold on Best Picture and Director, but remember that Blood tied it for the most nominations this year; voters who want to make it the de-facto runner-up for Best Picture may well decide to spread the wealth and give Paul Thomas Anderson at least one statuette for his monumental effort. Still, I have to say it is most likely that the excessive fondness for the ice-cold No Count’ will prevail. Prediction: No Country For Old Men Personal Pick: Ooh, I hope Mr. Anderson can draw some Blood in this contest. I’d also be happy for Sarah Polley. (But note I didn’t see The Diving Bell…)