As the More is More Mom, I’m all about … .more Academy Award nominated movies! The Oscars are my very favorite television program of the entire year (I’m such a life-long fan that I didn’t even mind Rob Lowe’s disastrous duet with Snow White). With only two weeks to go until show time I hope to squeeze in as many films nominated for best picture as possible.
This weekend, while Amanda and her pal saw Justin Bieber’s Never Say Never 3D, Chuck and I snuck in a matinee of The King’s Speech. I’m not normally a Merchant Ivory or Masterpiece Theater kind of a gal. That’s just way too intellectual for my pea brain to process. Give me a good, fast talking, glib Vince Vaughn, and I go weak in the knees. However, from the moment I saw the preview (the coming attractions are one of the very best parts of the movie-going experience) for The King’s Speech, I knew it was going to be amazing.
I must say it was refreshing to see Helena Bonham Carter in something other than a ghoulish Tim Burton movie. She was wonderful as Queen Elizabeth I—devoted, supportive, insightful, and encouraging.
Now, because of my extreme affinity for pop culture and short attention span, I’m most familiar with Geoffrey Rush as Barbossa in the swashbuckling Pirates of the Caribbean and the dark (of course it’s dark; it’s a Coen brothers’ picture) Intolerable Cruelty. I had no doubts that Geoffrey Rush was an incredible actor, but he was amazing as the speech therapist, Lionel Logue, in The King’s Speech.
Radio was becoming a formidable and viable form of communication prior to the onset of World War II, and became a popular way for the King to reach the masses. Prince Albert “Bertie,” the Duke of York, was terrified of speaking in public, and was nearly paralyzed due to his life-long stammer. After seeing every renowned specialist in England, Bertie’s wife, the future Queen Elizabeth, enlists the aid of the innovative Lionel Logue. Throwing convention to the wind, Lionel Logue was able to connect with the King, befriend him and provide him with the tools to overcome his stammer. Geoffrey Rush was incredible in his portrayal, certainly an Academy Award winning performance, though my vote will go to Christian Bale in The Fighter (there’s still time if you haven’t seen it!).
Again, I’m a little light on highbrow movie going experiences, though I’ve found Colin Firth absolutely delightful in The Bridget Jones Diaries, Love Actually, and of course, Mamma Mia. And let’s not forget the Amanda Bynes classic What a Girl Wants. I know he’s portrayed Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice and other smarty pants movies, I just didn’t happen to see them. However, as Prince Albert, Colin Firth was mesmerizing. Never one for a loss of words myself, I was nearly speechless as he conveyed the pain and embarrassment of his stammer. Bertie’s story, the dedication and lengths he went to in order to overcome his fear and lead his nation during its darkest days, was nothing short of inspirational. Colin Firth absolutely has my vote for best actor.
With ten films nominated, I’m not sure I’ll get to them all—though I know I’ll have fun trying.
More movies, more popcorn, more stolen moments, more inspirational stories …
