Film romance 'Atonement' tops Golden Globes

Two movies set against different wars, "Atonement" and "Charlie Wilson's War," dominated Golden Globe nominations on Thursday with "Atonement" earning seven nods, including one for best drama, to lead all film contenders.

The World War Two saga also earned best dramatic actor and actress nominations for Scottish performer James McAvoy and his English-born leading lady, Keira Knightley, for their roles as lovers torn apart by a family lie and the conflict in Europe.

"Atonement" filmmaker Joe Wright was nominated for best director, and 13-year-old Saoirse Ronan earned a supporting actress nod as the sister who betrays Knightley's character.

Other nominations came for best screenplay and musical score. "It's extraordinary. I really didn't expect that, really," Wright said.

McAvoy, who is well-known in Britain but less so in the United States, also said he was surprised. "It's nice. Things like today give you a little bit of validation," he said.

The Golden Globes are often a key indicator of which films will compete for Oscars.