THE English Patient looked set to sweep the Academy Awards as it won three of the early awards in Hollywood early this morning.
The first Oscar of the ceremony went to Cuba Gooding jnr for best supporting actor in Jerry Maguire, the only film from a major Hollywood studio to be nominated in the best picture category. Best supporting actress went to Juliette Binoche for The English Patient, ahead of the favourite, Lauren Bacall, but it confirmed the momentum which the desert epic was maintaining.
The English Patient also won awards for its costumes and art direction.