U.S. critics name The Social Network best film

The National Board of Review, an influentialU.S. group of film critics, historians and students, has chosen The Social Network as the year's best film.

The NBR, which picked Oscar winners No Country for Old Men and Slumdog Millionaire in 2007 and 2008, lavished four awards on the film about the founders of Facebook.

David Fincher was named best director, Aaron Sorkin got the honours for best adapted screenplay and Jesse Eisenberg got best actor in the role of Mark Zuckerberg.

The group, which announced its picks Thursday, had a best breakthrough performance award for Jennifer Lawrence in The Winter's Bone, which was a multiple nominee at the Spirit Awards.

It also released a list of the year's top five foreign films that included Quebec director Denis Villeneuve's Incendies.

Incendies, based on a play by Montreal playwright Wajdi Mouawad it is the story of two young adults, who discover a history of hatred and eternal war as they investigate their family's past in the Middle East.

The filmis Canada's entry to the Academy Awards for best foreign film.

Other films on that list of top foreign films: I Am Love,Soul Kitchen,White Material and Life, Above All.

Buried, the unusual drama that relies on the talents of Canadian actor Ryan Reynolds, earned a best original screenplay award, while Restrepo's Sebastian Junger and Tim Hetherington were hailed for their directorial debut.

Other winners of NBR awards:

• Best actress: Lesley Manville, Another Year.
• Best supporting actor: Christian Bale, The Fighter.
• Best supporting actress: Jacki Weaver, Animal Kingdom.
• Best foreign language film: Of Gods and Men.
• Best documentary: Waiting for 'Superman'.
• Best animated feature: Toy Story 3.
• Best ensemble cast: The Town.
• Spotlight Award: Sylvain Chomet and Jacques Tati, The Illusionist

The prizes will be awarded Jan. 11 in New York.