New York critics name 'Milk' best film

NEW YORK, Dec. 10 (UPI) -- The New York Film Critics Circle Wednesday declared "Milk" the best film of 2008.

The movie's stars Sean Penn and Josh Brolin also won the group's best actor and best supporting actor awards respectively.

Mike Leigh was named the best director for "Happy-Go-Lucky," while his leading lady Sally Hawkins garnered the best actress honor.

Penelope Cruz earned the award for best supporting actress for her work in "Vicky Cristina Barcelona," Jenny Lumet the prize for best screenplay for "Rachel Getting Married" and Anthony Dod Mantle the best cinematographer honor for "Slumdog Millionaire."

In addition, "Wall-E" was named best animated film, "Man on Wire" best documentary, "4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days" best foreign film and Courtney Hunt's "Frozen River" best first film.