'10
The Toronto Film Festival is over (boo!) and a surprising winner dominated all of the buzz: a little British film called The King’s Speech, starring Colin Firth as King George VI, and Helena Bonham-Carter as Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mum), and Geoffrey Rush as King George’s speech therapist. The film is all about the war years, after King Edward/The Duke of Windsor’s abdication, when King George reigned the Empire during World War II, and was beloved by his people. King George had a noticeable stutter, and he, like Churchill and FDR, felt the need to buck up his people with radio addresses during the war, especially during the bombing of Britain. So… the film is about that. The King trying to learn how to give a speech, trying to keep the British people’s hopes alive, and how much he struggled during the war years. Anyway, The King’s Speech won the “fan favorite” award at TIFF, and Colin Firth is now being discussed as a major Oscar contender. Could this be the year where a suave, dapper, lovely, talented Englishman takes home Best Actor? God, wouldn’t that be lovely?
“The King’s Speech” was crowned the fan favorite at the Toronto International Film Festival on Sunday, a possible precursor to an Academy Award nomination.
The British/Australian film is a critically acclaimed portrait of a stammering monarch preparing for war. It stars Colin Firth as King George VI, Geoffrey Rush as his Australian speech therapist and Helena Bonham Carter as the Queen Mother.
It won the Cadillac People’s Choice Award as the most popular film. The festival itself doesn’t give out awards, but there are a few awards from sponsor companies. The film festival’s director, Piers Handling, predicted Oscar nominations for the three leads and a possible best picture slot for Tom Hooper’s film, noting it garnered steady attention throughout the 11-day movie festival that ended Sunday.
“So many people were talking about that film during the festival,” said Handling, noting that previous audience-pleasers including “Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire” and “Slumdog Millionaire” went on to multiple Academy Award nominations.
The Toronto International Film Festival is a prime launching place for big Hollywood movies and Academy Awards contenders. Unlike such festivals as Cannes, Venice and Sundance, Toronto is a noncompetitive event where filmmakers are not up against one another for prizes.
[From Huffington Post]
Yes, I could see Rush getting nominated, because he’s like the Aussie Meryl Streep – Rush gets nominated just for breathing at this point. Not to diminish his talent, which is considerable, and I do love him. It would also be nice to Helena get nominated – if it happens, it would only be her second nomination (she got her first for Wings of the Dove). But my guess is that producers will probably throw big money at an Oscar campaign for Colin – he’s the kind of actor where you could easily say “It’s his turn to win.” He’s turned in solid to wonderful performances for two decades, he has no drama in his personal life, he’s happily married and loves his family, and plus, the Academy loves rewarding actors who play kings and queens and political leaders. Colin seems like he’s acting his ass off in The King’s Speech too – I imagine it would be hard to act out a stutter without it seeming like you’re making fun of the condition. Colin does it brilliantly:
Header: Colin at TIFF on Sept. 10, 2010. Credit: WENN. PR image courtesy of promotional site.
Written by Kaiser
Posted in Awards, Colin Firth
- Berenice Bejo’s truly terrible dress [Go Fug Yourself]
- Girls recap. I liked it better too. [Lainey Gossip]
- Twin elderly hookers: heartwarming? [D-Listed]
- Data shows people pig out at night [Jezebel]
- This Corey Feldman story is outrageous [Fark]
- Summer 2012 TV preview [Pajiba]
- All I see is Karolina Kurkova’s limp hair [SVC]
- Another Kardashian lingerie ad [Evil Beet]
- Michael McKean hit by a car! [Gawker]
- Charlize Theron at the airport with her baby [Popsugar]
- Kelly Brook’s insane bikini thing [The Blemish]
- I’m not convinced Megan Fox is pregnant [Dramarama]
37 Responses to “Will Colin Firth win the Oscar this year for ‘The King’s Speech’?”
Leave a Reply
By commenting you agree to our comment policy
Use the "Report this comment as spam or abuse" link to ask the moderators to delete a comment if it's offensive. If your comment disappears, it may have been eaten by the spam filter. Please e-mail cbcomments at gmail.com to get it retrieved.
Get an icon next to your name by signing up for a free Gravatar
he’s good looking and a good actor.
Report this comment as spam or abuse
I can see it too. I just saw ‘A Single Man’ and it was just a great and restained movie and performance from Firth. Who knew Tom Ford had it in him. The man is just long overdue at this point. I think people were hoping to say these things about Hugh Grant considering they are around the same age and became noticable around the same time. Looks like the right man is in the forefront.
Report this comment as spam or abuse
Yum, who can forget him as Mr. Darcy? Swoon.
And it’s nice to see Helena Bonham Carter in a movie not directed by her husband.
Report this comment as spam or abuse
I LOVE him, he will always be my beautiful Mr. Darcy!!!!I hope he wins!!!!!!!!!!
Report this comment as spam or abuse
I saw this movie at the TIFF gala premiere and it is wonderful. Absolutely great!! Colin and Geoffrey should definitely be nominated and win – they are both superb in it.
Report this comment as spam or abuse
Colin is my all-time favorite actor, and it’s so cool that he’s finally getting the recognition he deserves.
Report this comment as spam or abuse
What a story… what a scandal it was when Edward abdicated for Wallis and the crown was unexpectedly thrust upon the shy, stuttering George.
The acrimony between the plump but indomitable Elizabeth (the Queen Mum) and the slim, sophisticated Wallis would be perfect fodder for a vintage scandal thread.
Report this comment as spam or abuse
I love this man but as he grows older his features become more and more feminine.
Report this comment as spam or abuse
I don’t know what it is about him but I LOVE LOVE LOVE that face!!!!
Report this comment as spam or abuse
By the way, the costumes are incredible in the pic of Colin and Helena Bonham Carter; his double-breasted coat is so perfectly tailored it looks like they sewed it onto his body. Fit for a king!
Report this comment as spam or abuse
I hope he wins an Oscar. Loved him as both Mr. Darcys…..(P & P and the hysterical Bridget Jones Diary)!!!
Report this comment as spam or abuse
Probably, but if Colin wins, it’ll really be for A Single Man, but the Academy couldn’t give it to him last year cuase it went to so and so for what’s it called.
Report this comment as spam or abuse
The man does not look fifty, great actor.
Report this comment as spam or abuse
Love him.
Report this comment as spam or abuse
Would love to see Colin Firth get an Oscar for this and belatedly for a Single Man. Just brilliant; can’t wait to see it. From an historical perspective, Colin Firth is a much more physically robust and better looking man than King George (Bertie) was. He was, growing up, always overshadowed by his more outgoing older brother and had trouble with his health for his entire life. He was also a very heavy smoker which was probably the main contributer to his early death at 56. I will say this: Bertie was the right man for the job at the right time. He made a much better king than his older brother ever would have. Let’s just say that Bertie and Elizabeth (especially Elizabeth) had David and Wallis (D/D of Windsor) pegged exactly right.
Report this comment as spam or abuse
until the last year, i thought Firth was Hugh Grant’s poor man but he was great in “a single man”(even if the movie is a long Gucci commercial)
If he’s great in the movie, why not! i don’t want a Sandra Bullock drama win this year because Bullock isn’t a great drama actress
Report this comment as spam or abuse
Love Colin Firth.
Report this comment as spam or abuse
the academy does not award Oscars for the best performances anymore, which is quite a shame. Instead, it’s been politicized to the point where the awards are truly meaningless. It’s a pity-I used to love watching the awards but there’s not point to them anymore.
Report this comment as spam or abuse
LOVE Mr. Firth – ever since seeing LOVE ACTUALLY!!! Hope he takes the Oscar home!
Report this comment as spam or abuse
@#2: I was thinking the same thing since I saw “A Single Man”. He deserved the Oscar right than, I hope he gets it now.
As of Tom Ford – he is exquisite in everything he does! Not mentioning how GORGEOUS he is!
Report this comment as spam or abuse
love him and can’t wait to see this movie. he was amazing in “a single man.”
Report this comment as spam or abuse
Every time I think I can’ heart him more, he ups the ante. Swoon.
Report this comment as spam or abuse
Colin is the real deal! not some hyped up talentless Hollywood puppet!
Report this comment as spam or abuse
I LOVE THIS MAN. He’s wonderful, english and handsome. A great great great actor, one of my favorites without a doubt. HE DESERVES AN OSCAR! Hope he gets nominated and wins.
He was GREAT in “A single man” btw.
Report this comment as spam or abuse
I love him as an actor and as a man, YUMMMY YUM YUM!! I still dream that he leaves his tall leggy beautiful Italian wife for me.
Report this comment as spam or abuse
I haved loved his work over the years – he is consistent in his performances and so amazing to look at.. sigh! I hope all the best for him and that the Academy nominates and then sends him home with the Oscar.
Report this comment as spam or abuse
Ok I would watch Colin read the phonebook, but Helena Bonham Carter is the Queen Mum too?? I’m so there, Jackie O!
Report this comment as spam or abuse
Over the years Colin has shown himself to be a great actor with his many and varied roles. All the critics say he’s brilliant in the The Kings speech and if he’s as great as they say then he should get nominated, I can’t wait to see that movie.
Report this comment as spam or abuse
Oh this man! Mr Darcy forever has a place in my heart and anywhere else he cares to wander.
Report this comment as spam or abuse
He looks adorable in the last pic. Oh Mr. Darcy! Can’t wait to see it, loved a Single Man.
Report this comment as spam or abuse
Colin Firth is amazing. Aside from my husband, he’s the perfect man. He should win the oscar!
Report this comment as spam or abuse
LOVE HIM – I can’t believe no one has mentioned him in the title role of “Valmont”. That’s when I fell in love with him. He is perfect in every role he’s done. Hope this is his year!
Report this comment as spam or abuse
I’ve been waiting for this movie to come out – it’s a great story!
Report this comment as spam or abuse
Ohmigod he’s beautiful. Just makes me weak in the knees and wiggly in the nethers.
Report this comment as spam or abuse
I do NOT and just cannot understand people’s unreasonable affection for this doughy and utterly unremarkable pillock. WHAT? Why, dear god, why???
Hello- charisma bypass. There is not enough time and space in the universe to accommodate the amount of eye rolling I want to do right now about this.
He is a yawn on two short hairy legs. And can I just add that there is probably not a white man on the planet who looks LESS like G VI than him. LOL-those pics! Helena totally looks like the queen mum though, god, thats a bit spooky.
Report this comment as spam or abuse
Colin’s one of the great British actors. Always turns in a great performance – has for the past 20 years. Really deserves this win!
Report this comment as spam or abuse
Colin Firth will win the Best Actor Oscar for 2011. Not only is he a master craftsman of an actor, but he is magical to watch.
His performance as Dr. Wilhelm Stuckart in Conspiracy was spine chilling.
The way he sat around the table with his fellow Nazi conspirators, discussing with them his idea of castrating the Jewish race,with not so much as batting an eyelid, and with the cold blooded abandon of a true Nazi psychopath, was a performance worthy of any Brando.
Equally, Firth’s Vermeer was breathtaking, the way he sacrificed human dignity for the sake of his genius.
As for his Mr. Darcy, well that was quite simly UNIQUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It’s as though Jane Austen had him in mind when writing Pride and Prejudice.
Every actor wants to get a perfect performance under his belt.
Colin Firth is as close to perfection as an actor can get.
Report this comment as spam or abuse