The Oscars 2011

There have been a lot of complaints about this year’s hosting duo of James Franco (nominated for best actor for 127 Hours) and Anne Hathaway.

The premise was to attract a younger demographic and it remains to be seen whether or not this strategy was successful.

I enjoyed the show. I thought James and Anne were energetic and funny and did quite a good job once they managed to get their nerves under control.

I think what intrigued me more than usual this year was that I was very excited about the movie “The King’s Speech. Colin Firth has been a long time favorite actor of mine and I have always enjoyed his dry English humor.

I saw about half of the ten movies nominated and only missed “Biutiful”, “ True Grit”, “Winter’s Bone”, “127 “ and “Toy Story 3”. After I watched “The King’s Speech” I knew that this was the movie that deserved to win. To begin with it is a true story about a very beloved King who captured the world’s imagination and respect as his country (England) was plunged into World War I. To say he rallied the troops with his carefully and painstakingly articulated wartime speeches would be an understatement. “Bertie” had been a naval officer and never expected to be king as his brother, David, was the elder. However, when David abdicated the throne to marry the woman he loved, the twice divorced Wallis Simpson, the younger brother became King George VI ( played by Colin Firth) .

This was not a happy occasion for Bertie as he stammered. Geoffrey Rush plays his speech therapist that helps him overcome his difficulties and stays with him through all of his war time speeches and they friendship lasted throughout their lives.

At the end of the movie King George VI gives his first speech to the world announcing war with Germany. As we have witnessed the acute difficulty he has endured since childhood speaking, we are on the edge of our seats hanging off ever y beautifully articulate word carefully modulated in the wonderful King’s English. I was tremendously moved and clearly so was the rest of the world.

“The King’s Speech” won 4 out of the 12 Oscars it was nominated for which were Best Picture, Best Actor – Colin Firth, Best Director – Tom Hooper and Best Screenplay – David Seidler. Helena Bonham Carter played King George’s wife.

I also enjoyed “The Social Network” and thought Jesse Eisenberg and Justin Timberlake were amazing.

There were many other good moments in this year’s show but people seem to love to critique it rather harshly. Which is a shame as this industry brings so many of us so much pleasure and perhaps we could concentrate on that.