Colin ‘the king’s’ speech at Oscars
By IANSMonday, February 28, 2011
LOS ANGELES - After winning his first Oscar for playing a strutting monarch in “The King’s Speech”, Colin Firth said the award is “quite formidable” and possibly “the greatest honour” for him.
“I have a feeling my career’s just peaked. My deepest thanks to the Academy,” he said Sunday in his acceptance speech at the 83rd Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood.
“In fact, I have to warn you that I’m experiencing stirrings… somewhere in the upper abdominals, which are threatening to form themselves into dance moves which, joyous as they may be for me, it would be extremely problematic if they make it to my legs before I get off the stage. So I’m going to do my best to be brief with my gratitude first for being on this extraordinary list of fellow nominees. Something quite formidable and possibly the greatest honour. this (sic),” he said.
“The King’s Speech” was leading the Oscar race with 12 nominations and won four, including best picture, best director for Tom Hooper and best screenwriter for David Seidler. Made at a budget of just $14 million, the royal drama did overwhelming business of $120 million at the box office.
From his co-stars to the crew members, Firth thanked everyone.
“All the crew, my fellow cast members, those who are not here and those who are - Geoffrey (Rush), Helena (Bonham Carter) and Guy, whose virtuosity made it very, very difficult for me as bad as I was planning to be. And David Seidler whose own struggles of giving so many people the benefit of this very beautiful voice and Tom Hooper for the immense courage and clear-sightedness with which he interpreted that,” he said.
“The men who financed this to the screen - Gareth, Emile, Ian, Xavier and of course Harvey, who first took me on 20 years ago when I was a mere child sensation,” said Firth.
“All the people who have been rooting for me back home. Also Jessica Colstad, my friend Pauline Mariss and Chris Andrews for bearing with me during some of the less fortunate moments as well as the good ones.”
“And my very fortunate friendship with Tom Ford to whom I owe a very big piece of this. And to the Anglo-Italaian-American -Canadian axis which makes up my family. Livia (wife Livia Giuggioli) for putting up with my fleeting delusions of Royalty and who I hold responsible for this and really everything good that’s happened since I met her.”
“Now, if you’ll all excuse me I have some impulses to tend to backstage. Thank you very much,” said the 50-year-old.
