Clooney, Streep on red carpet at UK film awards

LONDON — Spies were taking on silent stars in London Sunday, as espionage thriller "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" and mute movie "The Artist" faced off at the British Academy Film Awards.

"The Artist" has 12 nominations and "Tinker Tailor" 11 for Britain's equivalent of the Oscars, with each up for best picture and director, leading men Jean Dujardin and Gary Oldman competing for best actor.

Bookies gave "The Artist" the edge, making the French film odds-on favorite to continue its awards-season success. It has already won three Golden Globes, and has 10 Oscar nominations.

Dujardin, who plays a silent screen icon eclipsed by the talkies, said the "The Artist'''s appeal lay in its accessibility.

"It's a simple story," he said. "It's a love story. It's universal. And there's a cute dog" — Jack Russell terrier Uggie, who almost steals the film from his two-legged co-stars.

"The Artist" took an early lead, winning prizes for cinematography and for Ludovic Bource's sprightly musical score.

Presenting the first award, for special effects, Cuba Gooding Jr. paid tribute to singer Whitney Houston, who died in Los Angeles on Saturday.

"Whitney, I will always love you," he said — a reference to one of her best-known songs.

The effects prize went to "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 2," the final film in the magical franchise and the top-grossing British movie of the year.

George Clooney was the best-actor favorite for Hawaiian family drama "The Descendants," with Meryl Streep considered likely to win the best actress trophy for her much-praised performance as former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in "The Iron Lady."

The British prizes, known as BAFTAs, are considered a strong indicator of likely success at Hollywood's Academy Awards, to be held on Feb. 26.

Clooney, Streep, Brad Pitt, Jessica Chastain, Penelope Cruz, Colin Firth and Judi Dench were among the stars braving the London cold and bouts of sleet to walk the red carpet before a televised ceremony, hosted by comedian, writer and actor Stephen Fry, at the Royal Opera House.

"The Help" star Viola Davis, a best-actress nominee, arrived in a pink Valentino "eco gown" made from recycled plastic bottles.