Ben Affleck’s hostage negotiation drama Argo took home the best picture award at the 2013 Screen Actors Guild Awards at the weekend, further intensifying speculation that the film could be the surprising recipient of the corresponding Oscar award in a few weeks time.

Argo beat four other films; The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Les Misérables, Silver Linings Playbook and Lincoln to the gong and many experts feel that this may well be a dress rehearsal for Oscar’s night.

While not originally thought of as a leading contender for the big prizes, Argo has been well received by many critics and many people (see highrolleronlinecasino.net) are making the film a strong favourite to also land the Best Picture Oscar.

Other winners on the night included Daniel Day Lewis, who won the SAG award for his portrayal of the title role in Steven Speilberg’s Lincoln. There was further recognition for the film when Tommy Lee Jones also won the award for the best supporting actor.

Jennifer Lawrence arguably sprung the surprise of the evening when she pipped favourite Jessica Chastain, from Zero Dark Thirty, to earn the best actress award for her performance in Silver Linings Playbook.

One time Oscar favourite Les Misérables had to be content with just the one award, for best supporting actress for Anne Hathaway, who beat Sally Field, Nicole Kidman, Maggie Smith and Helen Hunt to the gong.

The lifetime achievement award went to Dick Van Dyke, perhaps best known for his role as the cockney-accented chimney sweep in Disney’s Mary Poppins.