Scandal-hit Hollywood left its woes behind to honour Amy Adams for a glittering career that has seen her go from waitress to five-time Oscar nominee.
The 43-year-old — famous for the diversity of her film roles — spoke ahead of being presented with the 31st American Cinematheque Award that her proudest moment was her first nod for 2005 comedy Junebug.
“It really depends where I am in my life, but right now I’m looking for films with a specific message,” she said on the red carpet in Beverly Hills as she weighed her 18-year career.
“It can be very subtle, but I want it to mean something to me and move me forward in my life.”
A host of A-listers paid tribute to Adams in a rare celebration at the end of a week, which has seen the industry tarnished by unprecedented allegations of sexual misconduct.
“I’m always happy when I show up at work and she’s there,” said Michael Shannon, who starred alongside Adams in 2016 neo-noir thriller Nocturnal Animals, as well as two Superman movies.
“I’ve never seen her be anything but hard-working and easy to be around.”
Adams’s four other Oscar nominations were for best actress in American Hustle and supporting-actress roles for Doubt, The Fighter and The Master — but she has never won the coveted statuette.
Adams was presented with the American Cinematheque Award for “making a significant contribution to the art of the motion picture” by Doubt co-star Meryl Streep.
Among those expected to attend the star-studded event at the plush Beverly Hilton were Tom Hanks, Jake Gyllenhaal, Chris Messina, Kristen Stewart and Natalie Portman.
Adams’s award was a welcome moment of levity in a difficult week of soul-searching in Hollywood, which has seen the Harvey Weinstein sexual misconduct scandal expand to envelope Oscar-winner Kevin Spacey and comic actor Louis C.K.
