Movies Features

Colin Firth saves the 83rd Annual Academy Awards

By Anne Brodie Feb 28, 2011, 14:47 GMT

The film chronicles the young King George VI, the father of Queen Elizabeth II, as he cautiously assumes the throne after his brother, Edward, renounces the position. ...more

The King’s Speech, the widely favored crowd-pleaser since its festival run at Toronto last September, did its job. The film effortlessly won the categories – even if a tiny dancer made off with Best Actress as expected.

Natalie Portman won Best Actress for her work in Black Swan, also pretty much pre-destined months ago at Toronto.

But ‘tis a sad night at the Oscars when there are so few “moments” to talk about the day after.  A shining one was Best Actor Colin Firth’s gracious acceptance speech and a decidedly tarnished one was Melissa Leo’s classless, decidedly non-regal F-bomb for her Supporting win for The Fighter - a stupid, unthinking mistake.

The Brits ruled as is so often is the case at the Oscars, with the period drama about a stuttering King that nabbed Best Picture, Best Director for Tom Hooper and Best Screenplay for David Seidler and Best Actor. The King’s Speech wins also marked a royal triumph for small, independent films.  No one wanted to make the film, because of the subject’s relative obscurity and the lack of cash in the coffers, but it proved it was a fighter too.

Inception tied The King’s Speech with four awards, all in the technical category, and The Fighter’s Leo and Christian Bale who won for Best Supporting Actor, created a mini sweep in the major categories. 

The Social Network did well with three wins, but fell under The King’s Speech’ runaway train in recent weeks - the feel-bad movie caving to the feel good in what was once considered to be a tight race.

The Oscar show itself was dull and lifeless, one of least inspired in recent memory. And no one relished the idea of a children’s choir as the finale act when tired and bored audience was dying to bolt.

Thankfully, the musical star studded performance of “Over the Rainbow” turned out far better than expected. 

But why would they telegraph The King’s Speech rout by running a monologue from the film over the Best Picture nominees montage? As usual, the musical numbers brought the already dull evening to virtual standstills and couldn’t end soon enough, but that’s standard for an Oscar fest.

And Gone with the Wind? Really?

Kirk Douglas managed to add some fire to the proceedings as a presenter, subbing for M’Onique - who reportedly refused to do so.   And you could hear the sighs of relief when the man who should have hosted, Billy Crystal, strode onstage, a memory of better times.
  
James Franco and Anne Hathaway underwhelmed as hosts because they are actors, not comedians.   You could feel them trying too hard. They represented the youth bid, but it was a gamble that didn’t pay off. 

There’s good reason why Bob Hope hosted 19 times and we love Crystal.  Even so, Crystal didn’t stay to host the rest of the show.  Sigh.

Please future producers, nix the dreadfully miscast and inane official red carpet interviewers next time. Put the pros on the line, get some heat.  Establish reason to keep watching.  Hire the right hosts. 

If this is new Oscar production blood then please, folks, a second transfusion may be required.  This was an unmitigated snorefest, an unentertaining bore that needs fixing next year.