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Silent Monday: The King’s Speech

February 28, 2011 by Vic

The King’s Speech: Best actor, Best film, Best director, Best screenplay. Best all around.

Colin Firth and his Oscar.

Colin Firth and wife Livia on the red carpet

Geoffrey Rush and Colin Firth, red carpet

Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham-Carter, and Colin Firth

Helena shows where her loyalty lies

A much deserved win for writer David Seidler (and guest)

Tom Hooper, director

Oscar winners 2011 emerge onstage

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Posted in Jane Austen's World, Popular culture | Tagged Colin Firth, David Seidler, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham-Carter, Oscar 2011, The King's Speech, Tom Hooper | 38 Comments

38 Responses

on February 28, 2011 at 10:47 ArniePerlstein

For those few Janeites who, in the aftermath of all the publicity about The King’s Speech, are still not aware of it….there is a covert Jane Austen subtext to The King’s Speech that I think will be delightful to fans of the 1996 A&E/BBC Pride and Prejudice starring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle. Here are the details:

http://sharpelvessociety.blogspot.com/20…11/02/austenian-shadow-story-of-kings-speech.html

http://sharpelvessociety.blogspot.com/2011/0…2/ps-re-austenian-shadow-story-of-kings.html

Cheers, ARNIE
on February 28, 2011 at 13:03 Anna

So well deserved! *Drool*
on February 28, 2011 at 13:40 karen

I’m so glad that Colin and others involved won IN SPITE of all the hype and the debates over whether americans have become anglophiles, etc. Quality wins the day. I am a little disappointed that nobody has remembered to thank KING GEORGE VI and his loyal wife, QUEEN ELIZABETH, without whom the film could not have been conceived. Their overcoming so many obstacles (including the one involving his speech) and their absolute loyalty and relentless DUTY in the face of skepticism and during a major world war deserved recognition. But they weren’t included in any “speeches” that I know of.
on February 28, 2011 at 19:37 Karen Field

I have heard Colin Firth tell of the greatness of George VI undone of his interviews.

Golly, wasn’t he gorgeous? His self deprecating humor is one of the charming things about him. His wife looks beautiful. I was shouting at his win as well as at the other awards the film garnered. I think Helena Bonham Carter and Geoffrey Rush got robbed.

I was sorry to miss the last episode of Any Human Heart but hope to catch it online.
- on February 28, 2011 at 22:20 Karen Field
  
  Oops, that was the autocorrect on my iPhone. It was supposed to say in one of his interviews.
on February 28, 2011 at 23:26 karen

Yes I have heard Firth praise George VI in interviews as well. I agree he is gorgeous – the humility and the humor. I was speaking about the awards. It just strikes me in a strange way that King George should have been mentioned. I guess I don’t like the idea that people will go and see the movie and leave it at that. But that’s me – I have endless admiration for all of the good people who took the world through such turbulent times in history.
on February 28, 2011 at 23:27 karen

Did anyone else notice that Colin’s wife looks more than a little annoyed as he is being interviewed on the Red Carpet? He looks nervous as well.
on March 1, 2011 at 02:08 Vic

Hi Karen,

Because of this movie, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth are finally getting as much public recognition as the Duke of Windsor and Wallis Simpson. I believe writer David Seidler agreed not to pursue the film until after the Queen Mother’s death, as she blamed the stress of being King during World War II as being the cause of his premature death. This film is a fitting tribute to a loving couple who were also dedicated public servants, and the story of George VI and his queen has been widely disseminated as a result. What a tribute! Moreso, the History Channel has been showing films of the King’s and Queen’s fortitude and courage during World War II, and knowledge of their heroism has risen to the surface again.

Yes, Livia seemed impatient on the red carpet as Colin talked! I can imagine the number of award shows this year (and last) where she’s had to stand by his side as he slowly wended his way past the press. I understand that at the Oscars it took some of the nominated actors an hour to chat to various news organizations and reporters before they made it inside.
on March 1, 2011 at 17:12 drush76

I’m happy for Colin Firth. I really am.

But I feel that the wrong movie won Best Picture. Personally, I would have given it to “INCEPTION”. But since it was not a front runner, I would have given the award to “THE SOCIAL NETWORK”.

“THE KING’S SPEECH” did not strike me as an original or challenging movie, from an artistic point of view.
on March 1, 2011 at 18:01 Barbara

Responding to Karen, re Livia Firth’s apparent impatience at having to be bothered by yet another question…
As it was several seconds of her looking like this, let’s hope she has seen just how sour she looked and will learn from it!
It was a Marie Antoinette moment, and she should be reminded of where their fame and fortune eminate; from constant, positive, publicity!
Pouting can be cute on a child but not a woman of 42!
on March 1, 2011 at 21:07 karen

I thought perhaps I was being a little picky about Livia; it was my knee-jerk impression that the two of them had had a little tiff. I understand the stress and strain of all those interviews, but I agree with Barbara here. Did anyone notice in Firth’s acceptance speech he alluded to the fact that she had put up with his acting “kingly…”? Actors and their spouses need to remember that this publicity and adulation and curiosity are the price of fame and its attendant milllions of dollars (pounds) and lavish lifestyles. Being famous is a double-edged sword. Jane (Austen) was probably lucky in a way that she lived such a comparatively obscure life. Can we imagine Jane on the red carpet?
on March 1, 2011 at 21:10 karen

The other one who looks almost CONSTANTLY annoyed is Bonham-Carter, and it’s getting on my nerves. In all of her interviews she acts as if the whole process makes her sick and that we are nothing but a bunch of low-class voyeuers. Such a shame when she is a fine actress.
on March 3, 2011 at 01:22 Barbara

Karen, most would forgive the ill-humor of a high-strung, hugely successful actress; but Livia Firth came across as a peevish wife who should have been luxuriating in the splendor of the occasion, that was the night her husband won his first Oscar!
Instead, we read from her numerous tweets and chatter about her vintage gown and her eco-friendly jewelry, when what would have shown her off so much better would have been a radiant smile!
I do hope this post doesn’t get erased, again!
- on March 3, 2011 at 10:55 Vic
  
  Hi Barbara, I am enjoying the dialogue between you and Karen. I do not erase posts (unless they are personal diatribes). Somehow, this comment made it into my spam box. I have no idea why. Vic
on March 3, 2011 at 12:33 karen

I am trying to understand Livia’s side of the issue, and now in the context of it being vs. Bonham-Carter, makes it more dynamic and interesting.

I admire Bonham-Carter TREMENDOUSLY as an actress. Most of her personal eccentricities, in my opinion, are charming but the word Barbara used (“peevish”) to describe Livia certainly fits Bonham-Carter better; she treated all of the awards shows and even interviews as platforms to pointedly demonstrate how apparently disgusted she is – so why show up? It made me uncomfortable to watch her. She’s been doing this for years. Meanwhile earning millions and the sincere love and adulation of the very people she is offending.

The definition of “eccentric” doesn’t include ill-manners. The old saying: “Don’t bite the hand that feeds you” comes to mind.

Whereas Livia, possibly (?) struggling to retain an identity of her own, tweets about her gown and jewels and seems vaguely annoyed…. I think I can grasp what it’s like to be married to a man who other women drool over, who is so adored and admired. There have to be some limitations to being arm candy and mommy while your husand is treated like a demi-god (so much for show business). Just the superficiality of it all would be very wearing, especially if people worship your spouse and you are in most cases invisible. I am thinking of the failure of Andrea Bocelli’s marriage for the same reasons.

The fact that he seemed to apologize to her in his speech – he admitted he had been acting kind of “kingly” – gave me the impression that we don’t see the whole picture here. I was disappointed in her behaviour but can cut her a little slack, whereas Bonham-Carter’s “frustration” as demonstrated by her eye-rolling and sucked-in cheeks…well, would Dame Judi or Dame Maggie act this way?

So much for my input; I think that further comments from me wouldn’t fit with the purpose of this GREAT site, which is all things Jane Austen and the periods, period. lol
- on March 3, 2011 at 12:48 Vic
  
  To be fair to Livia, on her Twitter account her reaction to her husband’s win was: ohmygod – ohmygod – ohmygod, until she ran out of 140 characters.
on March 3, 2011 at 13:42 karen

I love it, thanks for sharing.
on March 3, 2011 at 16:24 Barbara

Both you ladies give Livia an abundance of slack, which is noble of you but…
It was not just her peevish behavior that was so inappropriate but that she chose to act that way at the Oscars, and on the night when her husband had reached the pinnacle of his acting career!
The footage of those who travelled the red carpet on February 27, 2011 will be seen over and over by millions and by Colin and Livia and their family and nothing will ever eclipse that night for them, but she will always have that reminder that she couldn’t get out of her own way!
Of course she tweeted: “Oh my God, Oh my God, he won an oscar….”,
She probably felt as Emma did, after her ill-mannered performance at Box Hill, before a not-so-adoring crowd.
Let’s hope she has as tender a conscience as Emma and feels some true remorse.
Her tweet, I suspect, was a bit of damage control!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and reading mine.
on March 3, 2011 at 16:46 karen

LOL Barbara – Emma at Box Hill, how appropriate! Except of course one must avoid comparing Colin Firth to Mrs. Bates. I’m sure we aren’t the only one who noticed Livia’s little snarky actions….well, a lapse in judgment to be sure. It will probably haunt her in the future.

But hey now, Bonham-Carter; what Jane Austen character can we compare HER to? Sadly, the first that comes to my mind is Mary (Anne Elliot’s sister) in Persuasion, with her whiny “poor me” personality.

That opens up intersting thoughts. I wonder what modern day characters (or celebrities) can be likened to the various Austen men and women, who were such strong personalities! Charlie Sheen to Willoughby? What do you all say?

Sadly, though, today’s celebrity “scandals” are so superficial and predictable they lack the interest to provide literary merit. I doubt Jane would have found much to write about in 2011.
on March 3, 2011 at 19:54 Barbara

Karen:
The first one that comes to mind, as anywhere close by comparison, would be Lady Catherine de Bourgh!
She did find the hoi polloi in her world, “not to be born”!
on March 3, 2011 at 21:01 karen

Oh, Barbara…can you just see Lady Catherine with that wild hair and extending her leg to show off a Union Jack tatoo? LOL. Naw….Lady Catherine was a dyed-in-the-wool aristocrat, the problem being her snobby perfectionism. Plus,she would never appear on the Red Carpet, the red carpet would have to come to her…

I have been thinking that Helena reminds me of Isabella, the flighty and two-faced friend of Caterine Moreland in Northanger Abbey….hoity-toity indeed with eye-rolling included. Remember that Isabella could not tolerate it when the young gents didn’t show her any attention, but then when they did, she effectively blew them off.

Colin reminds me of Mr. Bingley for some reason, all happy go lucky and humbly sweetish. I hope when they got in the limo he said to Livia: Badly done, Liv….badly done INDEED.

Since we’re continuing on this subject, is it my imagination or did Geoffrey Rush look a bit peeved on many occasions, including the aforementioned red carpet? Just look at the expressions of those two in the above picture. He looks about as ticked off as Mr. Elton when Emma refused his marriage proposal in the carriage.
on March 3, 2011 at 23:41 Barbara

Karen, you’re right, it’s a stretch to see much similarity between the two.
I will say, however, that Helena Bonham-Carter may think that she qualifies as “aristocratic” with her cultivated British accent (as compared with an accent like Christian Bale’s).
Regarding Geoffrey Rush; he must have been disappointed and it showed. He was not ill-mannered and it was, no doubt, difficult for him, under the circumstances. Because the film did so well, winning Oscars in several catagories, he couldn’t just retreat into the background, which he may have preferred to do.
I go back to Livia who, by contrast, behaved poorly without any such excuse.
on March 4, 2011 at 14:20 Tony Grant

Karen and Barbara you have got it all wrong. The English sensibilities on this one are obviously not the same as yours.

Helena Bonham Carter couldn’t give a damn about Hollywood and fame. She has achieved fame by default. After leaving her English Public school she had no other talents,poor lamb than doing a bit of film acting and sending everybody up. She plays the whole thing for laughs. The fact that she can do it quite well is probably of great amusement to her.

She as comfortable in the local chip shop ordering salt and vinegar on her chips as she is phoning up Prince Charles to borrow for a bucket load of manure for her roses.

You may well say, “How do you ,borrow, a bucket load of manure? Well you give the “shit,” back in loads.

She has character!!!! She is beautiful, but could you see her playing a femme fatale? Of course not, the whole thing IS a joke to her. More Hollywood Stars should be like her and not take themselves so seriously.

That red carpet thing!!Ha!Ha! Would you like to do it? Come on now, be honest. All those sweaty palms and bad breath. UUGH!!!!! The faces of stars with those false smiles must suffer rigour mortice.

Don’t you think we could do without The Oscars and just get on with real film making? The best films don’t end up in Hollywood anyway. Think about the films that really make a big difference to society and our lives???????
on March 4, 2011 at 15:28 ladylavinia1932

I see that both Hollywood and the British film industry have become complacent and a touch too conservative for their own good. Especially since “THE KING’S SPEECH” managed to win both the Academy Awards and BAFTA Best Picture awards. Many of you might see this as a sign of the movie’s quality. I see this as a sign of moviegoers’ sentimentality and conservatism. I can think of a good number of movies that were better.

I enjoyed “THE KING’S SPEECH”, I won’t deny it. But do I consider it to be the best movie of 2010? Definitely not. As for Helena Bonham-Carter, I do not understand this bashing of her character, all because of the dress she wore at the Oscars. Yes, I personally found it a little tacky. But she is entitled to how she wants to dress and I say . . . “to each his or her own”. Nor do I consider her taste in fashion or any beliefs she might harbor as a sign of her acting talents. By the way, I think she was nominated for the wrong movie. I believe she gave a better performance as the Red Queen in “ALICE IN WONDERLAND”. And to be honest, I was not crazy about that particular film.
on March 4, 2011 at 15:31 ladylavinia1932

“Sadly, though, today’s celebrity “scandals” are so superficial and predictable they lack the interest to provide literary merit. I doubt Jane would have found much to write about in 2011.

I suspect that the so-called “celebrity scandals” of Austen’s time were just as shallow. But I find society – whether in modern times or two hundred years ago – to be rather shallow.
on March 4, 2011 at 15:43 karen

I do think Helena Bonham-Carter could play a femme fatale with no problem – she could handle any role. I agree that she is an original eccentric and obviously not impressed with anything “hollywood”, and it’s my understanding that she became a star by default. She is so talented! But she is rude to interviewers, and she does make a lot of money. And if you disdain everything to do with publicity, why bother? There are people who are genuinely happy to be recognized and/or awarded with Oscars or Globes or whatever. I disagree that the good films never make it to the academy awards. I am thinking of the fanastic movies of the 1970′s, and films like Ghandi and The Pianist, Schindler’s List and etc.

I could care less what Helena wears on the red carpet; I enjoy anything fashion-related but the styles there are nothing more than cookie-cutter advertisements for designers. Speaking of comparing her to an Austen character, I still say Lady Catherine DeBourgh would never wear a dress cut up to her hoo-ha and display a Union Jack Garter.
on March 4, 2011 at 17:53 ladylavinia1932

["I could care less what Helena wears on the red carpet; I enjoy anything fashion-related but the styles there are nothing more than cookie-cutter advertisements for designers. Speaking of comparing her to an Austen character, I still say Lady Catherine DeBourgh would never wear a dress cut up to her hoo-ha and display a Union Jack Garter."]

But does that mean we’re supposed to be more impressed by Lady Catherine de Bourgh?

["I disagree that the good films never make it to the academy awards. I am thinking of the fanastic movies of the 1970′s, and films like Ghandi and The Pianist, Schindler’s List and etc."]

I never said that good films never make it to the Academy Awards. I indicated that there were films better than “THE KING’S SPEECH” in 2010. Including those that were nominated.
on March 4, 2011 at 18:23 Tony Grant

ladylavinia1932, Cor blimey, I thought Karen’s comments were directed at me.

Ignore her.( I know I will get some stick from that comment. I’m waiting.) The reality is this. Hollywood and films are all ephemeral things. They don’t matter. Unless………….

Having said that, film, and acting on stage, is a very real way of exploring the human condition.It can make us think, pull us up short, challenge us and even make us grow. Both mediums are important to our civilisation. But for goodness sake,” The Oscars”, bloody well see them for what they are.

All the best and in Hollywood jargon, “I love you all.”

Tony
on March 4, 2011 at 20:34 Barbara

Karen, my first response to your post about Livia Firth looking “more than a little annoyed” (on the red carpet, the night of the Oscars) was my first-ever comment on this blog.
It has been quite an education for me to see how people run with one thread of a post, and treat it as if it were the main theme.
As I read your post, your critisism of HBC was levelled at her attitude and manner when interviewed about her work, not at her taste in clothes, or her appearance at all, but it is that idea that has got the juices flowing with others on this blog!
Your comment about her garter seemed to have been made, merely, to support your point that my choice of Lady Catherine de Bourgh was off the mark!
In a weird sort of way this chatting on line is much akin to chatting with someone at a tea party and having another person come up and ask you if you would like another cup of tea when you haven’t had any yet!
Now I am left to wonder whether I am the Mad Hatter, the March Hare or Alice or…
on March 5, 2011 at 07:02 Tony Grant

Barbara, it’s not always like this.

I hope you have had a chance to explore some of the other posts on Vic’s great blog.

All the best,
Tony
on March 5, 2011 at 09:28 Barbara

Thanks, Tony, I shall do that over the weekend.
Are you English?
on March 5, 2011 at 12:14 karen

Barbara, until recently I was very much enjoying our light-hearted discussion about the Red Carpet; the Lady Catherine portion was coming off of your remark that Livia reminded you of Jane Austen’s “Emma”….(her behavior at Box Hill); hence the little jokes about other celebrities matching them to Austen characters. At one point I remarked this may have begun to be inappropriate for this blog, but you responded again and Vic did not remark on it except once to say she was enjoying the back and forth. I expected a comment from her yesterday as things became heated. To add to closure here I will respond.

May I say again that any comments made were my own observations and in the spirit of a fun exchange? All three actors we discussed are outstanding and I don’t live with the Firths, so I don’t know the dynamics of their relationship at all. A moment caught on camera does not condemn anyone for life at any rate.

I have read just about every topic on this site and look forward to each new additon, which I’m updated about on FB. It’s the best site on the Internet for all things from 17th-Century through Austen, Edwardian and up to Edward VIII (Upstairs, Downstairs) and now a new series on Masterpiece Theatre. My favorite site, hands-down. A whole library of information just on the sidebar. From this site, I have found links to other interesting historical sites, especially about fashions and social customs. So I, too, am hoping you’ll have some time to navigate the site and enjoy all it has to offer.

I apologize for any inadvertent offense I have given any readers here.

Best of luck reading!
Karen
- on March 5, 2011 at 13:39 Vic
  
  Karen, Thank you so much for the compliments about my blog – *blush*. I too have enjoyed the exchange and thought it light-hearted. In fact, I kept coming back to this post to see how the conversation was going! Thanks for your engaging dialog with Barbara.
  
  Vic
on March 5, 2011 at 14:58 karen

(So much for my input; I think that further comments from me wouldn’t fit with the purpose of this GREAT site, which is all things Jane Austen and the periods, period. lol)

… I revert to my former statement, only to add a small tidbit that I have contemplated today: WWJD?

Best to everyone, and happy reading.
on March 5, 2011 at 16:32 Barbara

Karen:
Thanks for taking the time to educate me on blogging and the superior nature of this one!
I have seen just enough of it, to be anticipating, with pleasure, spending this evening mining its treasures!
For now, I believe that my best course will be to read more and talk less!
Enjoy your weekend.
on March 5, 2011 at 17:35 Barbara

Karen, I have just re-read your last several postings (a privilege we have with the internet, but which is a two-edged sword!), and there was nothing that you said that ruffled my feathers; I was simply referring
to the spirited comments and edgy tone of others.
Which brings us back to the same issue which prompted my first posting, that everything we observe in others is subjective!
Now back to reading…
on March 5, 2011 at 18:07 karen

Speaking of subjectivity, Barbara, I feel like a cross between Emma post-box hill and Mrs. Ferarrs after her 2 sons circumvented her stubborn matriarchal tirades and did what they wanted anyway. I re-read the whole dialogue, too, and found that I took the topic of The King’s Speech Oscar wins – a beautiful testimonial of what film can do to keep history fresh, and thoughtful in contemporary life – and went WAAAAYYYYY around the bend with the whole Red Carpet deal. Here we are, so fortunate to have the internet – with which this site, for example, offers a handy library of anything we’d like to learn; and I’m spouting off like some political pundit or Joan Rivers on “E” Fashion Police. My apologies are sincere.

Another reason why the so-called “old fashioned” manners of the 18-th-late 19th century would, in my opinion, be so welcome in today’s society…yes, I am the pot calling the kettle black (talking about H.B.C.’s lack of manners while judging those people myself). Why do we love all things Austen? Jane, the ever-sharp observer, threw out a few snarly comments here and there but they were in her private letters, and those were burned. This site is for HER, not for topics unrelated to her writing, period history or the other relevant information.

So I am the one blushing – and not from humility about compliments to Vic for a job well done. I hope everyone one this site derives as much education and enjoyment from it as I, and it’s fun to think we may be reading the same posts and learning from them together.

Sincerely,
Karen
on March 18, 2011 at 21:22 Lily

I have yet to see this film but have heard so many good things about it. Can’t wait until it comes out on dvd. Great photos.

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