Women critics hail 'The Help,' 'Iron Lady'

NEW YORK, Dec. 19 (UPI) -- America's Women Film Critics Circle declared "The Help" the Best Movie About Women in 2011 and its star Viola Davis the year's Best Actress.

The 1960s-set film about a group of women who work for wealthy Mississippi families also earned the prize for Best Female Ensemble and the Josephine Baker Award, which is presented to the film that best expresses the "woman of color experience in America," the female critics' group said.

"The Iron Lady" directed by Phyllida Lloyd and "We Need to Talk About Kevin" directed by Lynne Ramsay tied for the Best Movie By a Woman honor. "The Iron Lady" screenwriter Abi Morgan was named Best Storyteller.

The Best Actor and Young Actress accolades went to George Clooney and Shailene Woodley, co-stars in "The Descendants," which also took the award for Best Male Images on film.

Glenn Close won the Courage in Acting honor for her work in "Albert Nobbs," which additionally earned the Karen Morley Award for best exemplifying "a woman's place in history or society, and a courageous search for identity."

Melissa McCarthy won the prize for Best Comedic Actress for her performance in "Bridesmaids," "Hugo" was named Best Family Film, "Puss in Boots" won the award for Best Animated Females, "The Hedgehog" was declared Best Foreign Film and "The Debt" earned the honor for Best Equality of the Sexes.

"The Whistleblower" picked up the prize for Best Female Images and the Adrienne Shelly Award, which is bestowed upon the film that "most passionately opposes violence against women."

"Melancholia" was mentioned for Worst Female Images and "The Hangover Part II" was voted as having the Worst Male Images.

"Semper Fi: Always Faithful" was declared the Best Documentary By or About Women.

Kathy Bates and Cicely Tyson share the Lifetime Achievement Award and Elizabeth Taylor was posthumously awarded the Acting and Activism honor.