NEW YORK (AP) ― The New York Film Critics Circle named the silent film ode “The Artist’’ the year’s best film Tuesday, giving the nostalgic black-and-white movie an early boost to its already promising Academy Awards prospects.

“The Artist,’’ which is silent like the films to which it pays homage, also earned best director for the French filmmaker Michel Hazanavicius.

“It’s a celebration of cinema,’’ said John Anderson, chairman of the group and critic. “It’s clever and it’s upbeat and all that, but it’s really about the movies. Of course, that’s going to strike a chord among critics.’’

The boldly old-fashioned “The Artist,’’ which the Weinstein Company opened in limited release last week, has emerged as an unlikely front-runner in the early stages of the Oscar race. The Spirit Awards, which honor independent film, also bestowed five nominations on it Tuesday.

The critics otherwise, as they usually do, spread the awards around. Brad Pitt won best actor for his performances in the baseball film “Moneyball’’ and Terrence Malick’s cosmic drama “Tree of Life.’’ Both of those films also earned other awards: “Tree of Life’’ for best cinematography by Emmanuel Lubezki and “Moneyball’’ for Steven Zaillian and Aaron Sorkin’s screenplay.

Meryl Steep was chosen as best actress for her performance as Margaret Thatcher in the upcoming “The Iron Lady.’’ The suddenly ubiquitous Jessica Chastain won best supporting actress for a trio of performances in “Tree of Life,’’ “The Help’’ and “Take Shelter.’’