KEIRA KNIGHTLEY - ATONEMENT TOPS GLOBE NOMS

ATONEMENT TOPS GLOBE NOMS

Acclaimed British film Atonement has led the way at today's nominations for the 2008 Golden Globe awards, with seven nods.

Joe Wright's adaptation of Ian McEwan's bestselling novel was named in the best drama motion picture category while leads Keira Knightley and James McAvoy were named in their respective best actor categories.

Young actress Saoirse Ronan joins the illustrious company of Cate Blanchett, Julia Roberts, Amy Ryan and Tilda Swinton in the best supporting actress category and the film was also nominated for best director, best screenplay and best original score.

Aaron Sorkin's political satire Charlie Wilson's War was the next most successful nominee, named in five categories, while director Quentin Tarantino also named Michael Clayton and No Country for Old Men in four categories during today's announcement at the Beverley Hilton hotel in Los Angeles.

The nominations point to a good year for British acting talent, with nods for Julie Christie, Helena Bonham Carter and Daniel Day-Lewis while Hugh Laurie, Ricky Gervais and Minnie Driver are in the running for awards after being nominated for their TV shows House, Extras and The Riches respectively.

The Golden Globes, to be awarded by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association on January 13th, differ from the Academy awards in recognising comedies and musicals as well as television.

Charlie Wilson's War was named in the best motion picture: comedy or musical category alongside teen pregnancy comedy Juno, Beatles musical Across the Universe, Tim Burton's Sweeney Todd and 1960s-set romp Hairspray.