'Constant Gardener' Tops British Film Academy Noms

"The Constant Gardener" has sunk some firm roots in the British Film Academy.

The political thriller nabbed a leading 10 nominations for the Orange British Academy Film Awards in London Thursday, including nods for Best Picture, Best Actor for Ralph Fiennes, Best Actress for Rachel Weisz and Best Director for Fernando Meirelles.

The romance drama "Brokeback Mountain" and racially charged drama "Crash" each earned nine nominations. The films compete for the British equivalent of the Best Picture Oscar against "The Constant Gardener," the Truman Capote biopic "Capote" and the Edward R. Murrow biopic "Good Night, and Good Luck."

Taking on Fiennes for the Best Actor BAFTA are David Strathairn for "Good Night, and Good Luck," Heath Ledger for "Brokeback Mountain," Joaquin Phoenix for "Walk the Line" and Phillip Seymour Hoffman for "Capote."

Going up against Weisz for the Best Actress trophy are Charlize Theron for "North Country," Judi Dench for "Mrs. Henderson Presents," Reese Witherspoon for "Walk the Line" and Ziyi Zhang for "Memoirs of a Geisha."

George Clooney earned two nominations in the Best Supporting Actor category, for "Good Night, and Good Luck" and "Syriana." Two "Crash" actors -- Don Cheadle and Matt Dillon -- are also vying for the honor, along with Jake Gyllenhaal for "Brokeback Mountain."

Up for Best Supporting Actress are Brenda Blethyn for "Pride & Prejudice," Catherine Keener for "Capote," Frances McDormand for "North Country," Michelle Williams for "North Country" and Thandie Newton for "Crash."

Competing with Meirelles for the Best Director BAFTA are Ang Lee for "Brokeback Mountain," Bennett Miller for "Capote," Paul Haggis for "Crash" and Clooney for "Good Night, and Good Luck."

"The Constant Gardener" also scored a nomination for British Film of the Year, competing against "A Cock & Bull Story," "Festival," "Pride & Prejudice" and "Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit."

The Orange British Academy Film Awards will be handed out Feb. 19 Sunday 19 at Odeon Leicester Square in London.