So, about those Cannes predictions...

Unlike last year, I seem to have completely misread the Cannes jury in just about every major category. The winners:

Palme D'Or: The Tree of Life Obviously those rumors about Tree not having many supporters on the jury was way off. Despite receiving some boos at its premiere, and being equally loved (maybe even less so) as Melancholia and We Need to Talk About Kevin, DeNiro and company gave Malick his second Palme (the first was for Days of Heaven).

Grand Prix [TIE]: The Kid with a Bike & Once Upon a Time in Anatolia I had a feeling the Dardennes wouldn't leave empty-handed. Anatolia is a bit more of a surprise, however, since I didn't get the sense that reaction was as positive.

Grand Jury Prize: Polisse An out of left-field choice, for sure. I heard almost nothing that suggested it could be a contender. From critics that is. Clearly the jury felt differently.

Best Director: Nicholas Winding Refn - Drive Now here's the real outside choice. Descriptions made Drive sound like an anti-Cannes type of film, but apparently Refn's direction, which has earned praise, was just what the jury wanted.

Best Actor: Jean Dujardin - The Artist

Best Actress: Kirsten Dunst - Melancholia

Best Screenplay: Footnote

Camera D'Or (first film): Marnya Vroda - Cross-Country