a journalist. Another difference is that several characters, such as the younger Buggit family, are deleted or merged. The film was originally to be directed by Fred Schepisi, with John Travolta in the lead male role. Reception Critical response The Shipping News received mixed reviews from critics. Rotten Tomatoes gives the film a 55% rating, based on 130 reviews, with an average score of 5.8/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "Though solidly made and acted, The Shipping News is rather heavy-handed and dull, especially given the nature of its protagonist." At Metacritic, the film has a score of 47 out of 100, based on 31 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews". Accolades Won Florida Film Critics Association: Best Supporting Actress (Cate Blanchett) National Board of Review: Best Supporting Actress (Cate Blanchett) Nominated Art Directors Guild (ADG): Excellence in Production Design Award Feature Film – Contemporary Film BAFTA Awards: Best Actor in a Leading Role (Kevin Spacey) Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Judi Dench) Berlin International Film Festival: Golden Berlin Bear (Lasse Hallström) Broadcast Film Critics Association: Best Composer (Christopher Young) Best Film Golden Globe Awards: Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama (Kevin Spacey) Best Original Score (Christopher Young) Screen Actors Guilds (SAG): Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role (Judi Dench) USC Scripter Award: USC Scripter Award (Robert Nelson Jacobs and E. Annie Proulx) Young Artist Awards: Best Ensemble in a Feature Film References External links 2001 films 2001 drama films American drama films Films about journalists Films based on American novels Films directed by Lasse Hallström Films produced by Irwin Winkler Films scored by Christopher Young Films set in Newfoundland and Labrador Films shot in Newfoundland and Labrador Films shot in Nova Scotia Films with screenplays by Robert Nelson Jacobs Miramax films 2000s English-language films 2000s American films