L.A. FILM CRITICS FIND THAT FAVORITE ACTORS LOVE THEM BACK.

Byline: Bob Strauss Film Writer

It's the one night of the year when people who review movies and those who make them have nothing but nice things to say about each other.

It happened Wednesday when the Los Angeles Film Critics Association held its 28th annual awards dinner at the Casa Del Mar Hotel on Santa Monica Beach. Critics got up and said glowing things about such winners as Jack Nicholson, Daniel Day-Lewis and Julianne Moore. Celebrities returned the compliments. Believe it or not, this all not only seemed sincere, it actually was.

``I think this is a really nice evening,'' a gangly, bald-shaven Day- Lewis said after thanking LAFCA for the best actor award he won for portraying the brutal boss of Manhattan's 1860s Five Points district in ``Gangs of New York.'' ``And it's particularly delicious for me to share this award with that wonderful man who, undoubtedly, is an honorary hooligan of the Five Points.''

Day-Lewis was referring to Nicholson, whose ``About Schmidt'' performance tied for best actor honors.

``I would have loved to have stood up here, side-by-side,'' Nicholson responded from the podium a few minutes later, ``but you're too tall and good-lookin'.''

Rest assured, though, that between presentations, Jack and Dan shared the warmest of hugs.

Moore, in black backless gown, long red ponytail and an acre or so of glittering bib necklace, was the best actress recipient for her work in ``Far From Heaven'' and ``The Hours.'' Noting that she recently gave birth to her second child and had previously been honored by LAFCA the year in which she had her first, Moore enthused, ``I feel like if I keep having babies, maybe I'll keep coming back!''

Carmela Soprano herself, Edie Falco, kept remarking about what ``a fancy thing'' the far-from-black-tie affair was as she picked up her supporting actress award for ``Sunshine State.'' Chris Cooper, a winner for his wild ``Adaptation'' supporting role, graciously noted that his co-star ``Meryl (Streep) made me laugh harder than any woman on any set I've ever worked with.''

La Streep was not in attendance, but ``Adaptation'' star Nicolas Cage was; and he wasn't even getting an award. The evening's most uproarious show of support, though, was from the husband-and-wife team of Mel Brooks and Anne Bancroft. Bancroft was there to present LAFCA's Life Achievement Award to her ``Miracle Worker'' director Arthur Penn, and as she walked to the dais, Brooks cried out, ``Mention me!''

``I'm not going to,'' she swiftly shot back.

Among other attendees were ``Schmidt'' screenplay winner Alexander Payne (who also directed the group's best picture), and best director Pedro Almodovar (``Talk to Her'').

But it was huggy bear Nicholson (I counted at least two other bearish ones besides Day-Lewis'), who summed up the feeling shared, at least once every year, between L.A.'s critics and the people they, well, criticize.

``I like being around critics because I think they're very interested in movies,'' Nicholson said. ``But I have almost no criteria myself. I like pretty much all the movies I see. I think nobody tries to make a bad movie.''

Not at this show, anyway.

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2 photos

Photo:

(1) Daniel Day-Lewis, left, and Jack Nicholson shared best actor honors at the Los Angeles Film Critics Association awards dinner Wednesday in Santa Monica.

Lucy Nicholson/Associated Press

(2) Julianne Moore won best actress for ``Far From Heaven'' and ``The Hours.''