By JASON WRIGHT (Entertainment Expert)
THE stars of the big screen came out in glamour in Hollywood for the 83rd Academy Awards. The Oscars is the world’s greatest awards ceremony and although this may be honoured as an American event, Sunday night’s event proved to be a great success for the British.
TOP: Colin Firth completed a stunning treble |
Despite it not being a whitewash success as many people predicted, The King’s Speech still came out on top with four awards out of its twelve nominations. All the nominations were the major awards it had been nominated in, Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay, Best Director for ex-Byker Grove and EastEnders director Tom Hooper and most importantly, Best Actor for Colin Firth in the film’s lead role. Speaking of his delight, Firth exclaimed “I have a feeling my career’s just peaked,” whilst director Hooper labelled the success as “an extraordinary honour”.
Inception, which was a big film hit last summer, also scooped up four awards, which were all in the technical department. Following close behind were The Social Network, a documentary based on the creation of social networking site Facebook, with three awards for Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Original Score and Best Film Editing. The Fighter, which also contains some British interest, earned a double in the Supporting acting categories for Christian Bale and Melissa Leo respectively. However, Leo’s success was tainted by accidentally uttering ‘the f word’ in her acceptance speech.
WINNER: Natalie Portman deserved her Best Actress accolade |
The only big award not to go to a major film winner was for Best Actress which went to Natalie Portman in her role in The Black Swan. Moved to tears by the accomplishment, Portman said “I truly wish that the prize tonight was to get to work with my fellow nominees, I’m so in awe of you.” Meanwhile, the biggest shocks of the night were 127 Hours, directed by Slumdog Millionaire’s Danny Boyle, failing to win any of its six nominations but the modern day adaption of Western film True Grit was a total disaster. It had earned a massive ten nominations but walked away empty handed.
Elsewhere, two family films earned honourable recognition. The live action adaptation of Alice in Wonderland earned two awards for its art and fashion design whilst Toy Story 3, the final chapter in the popular movie trilogy also picked up two awards for Best Original Song and Best Animated Feature. It’s a deserved accomplishment for defying the odds in breaking several box office records worldwide last summer.
This night however will be forever remembered for continuing the recent rise of success of British films on a global stage. The King’s Speech certainly goes down as one of the best films in its generation and Colin Firth’s portrayal in the lead role is emotional and moving to everyone who watches it.
The world of film never stops of course, and the race now begins to see who can get top honours in twelve months time.
THE OSCARS 2011 WINNERS
Best Picture: The King’s Speech
Best Director: Tom Hooper (The King’s Speech)
Best Actor: Colin Firth (The King’s Speech)
Best Actress: Natalie Portman (The Black Swan)
Best Supporting Actor: Christian Bale (The Fighter)
Best Supporting Actress: Melissa Leo (The Fighter)
Best Original Screenplay: The King’s Speech
Best Adapted Screenplay: The Social Network
Best Animated Feature: Toy Story 3
Best Foreign Language Film: In A Better World
Best Feature Documentary: Inside Job
Best Short Subject Documentary: Strangers No More
Best Live Action Short Film: God of Love
Best Animated Short Film: The Lost Thing
Best Original Score: The Social Network
Best Original Song: We Belong Together (Toy Story 3)
Best Sound Editing: Inception
Best Sound Mixing: Inception
Best Art Direction: Alice in Wonderland
Best Cinematography: Inception
Best Makeup: The Wolfman
Best Costume Design: Alice in Wonderland
Best Film Editing: The Social Network
Best Visual Editing: Inception