Madonna and Guy Ritchie may have developed the perfect chemistry off-screen, but their on-set collaboration yesterday ensured them a place in the Hollywood hall of shame. Their derided joint venture Swept Away scooped the Razzie awards for both worst film of the year and the worst remake of the year.
Heaping on the ignomy, the Razzies also named Ritchie as worst director and Madonna and her Swept Away co-star Adriano Giannini as worst screen couple. The material girl shared the award for worst actress with fellow singer-turned-actress Britney Spears, who was honoured for her star turn in Crossroads.
The 23rd Razzie Awards were held in what the organisers describe as "ultra low-budget" circumstances at a hotel in Santa Monica, California, ploughing through the 11 categories in under an hour. Other "winners" included Roberto Benigni, who was named worst actor for his performance as Pinocchio and Hayden Christensen, named worst supporting actor for Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones. George Lucas's duff space opera also won for worst screenplay.
Should the winners decide to accept them, the Razzie awards take the form of a handcrafted gold-painted raspberry, resplendent atop a bed of mangled Super-8 celluloid. Undeniably, the award would look lovely alongside Madonna's collection of gold records.
The Razzies winners in full
Worst picture: Swept Away
Worst actor: Roberto Benigni (Pinocchio)
Worst actress: Madonna (Swept Away) and Britney Spears (Crossroads)
Worst supporting actor: Hayden Christensen (Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones)
Worst supporting actress: Madonna (Die Another Day)
Most flaulent teen-targeted movie (new category): Jackass: the movie
Worst screen couple: Adriano Giannini and Madonna (Swept Away)
Worst director: Guy Ritchie (Swept Away)
Worst remake or sequel: Swept Away
Worst screenplay: Star Wars Episode II: Yada-Yada-Yoda, screenplay by George Lucas and Jonathon Hales
Worst original song I'm Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman, from Crossroads, sung by Britney Spears written by Max Martin, "Rami" and Dido Armstrong
