Friday, August 20, 2010

Liz Hoggard: Hail the artless British hero

When Colin Firth thanked the man who mended his refrigerator (and stopped him promulgation an email to Tom Ford, rejecting his purpose in A Single Man) at the Baftas on Sunday, it was British tact at the best. Who knew that he even stayed in for the refrigerator these days? Dont movie stars have "people" who do that for them?

But thereafter the total night was a covenant to self-deprecating English charm. We might not be as abounding and thin as the American cousins, but we do give great acceptance speech. No disbelief it was beaten home to us during perpetual propagandize esteem givings that no one likes a cocky so-and-so. We might appear to barge on to the podium, brushing lint from the clothes, seeking apologetic about the hair and wonky teeth, but we know we are about to broach a blinder. The principal sin is to bore.

And Britain has got talent. David Bowies son, Duncan Jones, scarcely detonate in to tears at the realization that he was eventually great at something (his movie Moon took superb debut). Fish Tank winner, Andrea Arnold, confided her mental condition about perplexing to representation a tent on a campsite, usually to be gazumped by everybody else (a really British imposter dream). Carey Mulligan, majority appropriate singer winner, was happy to reserve outward with the rest of us.

Theres something about the Unassuming British Hero that creates you unapproachable in a universe of airbrushed perfection. Look at Amy Willams, who only took bullion at the Winter Olympics on a obsolescent tea-tray she calls "Arthur". At the 2008 Games, it was girl-next-door Rebecca Adlington who triumphed.

Grit in the oyster seems to encourage talent. Ellie Goulding, who won critics" preference at the Brit Awards last week, grew up on a legislature estate and common a bed with her siblings. But the desirous one of the majority artistic entrance albums of new years.

Dont be fooled: there is a glimmer of steel at the back of the shambolic persona. You cant have unsuccessful to notice how Bafta gave Kathryn Bigelow 6 awards (including majority appropriate movie and majority appropriate director) for her Iraq drama, The Hurt Locker (a fight movie about peace). Her ex-husband, James Cameron, had to have do with majority appropriate pattern and special goods for his much-hyped sci-fi strike Avatar. Taking to the theatre for nonetheless an additional gong, Bigelow praised the Brits for their magnanimous values and championing of the underdog.

Baftas suggestion of democracy is even reflected in the cooking afterwards. To my astonishment, you"re authorised to association with Tom Ford and Mickey Rourke. No A-lister is roped off. You"re devoted to handle and not try to lift the talent. Plus the seating plan is brilliantly eccentric. Best movie can finish up staked out underneath the pot plants, whilst unfamiliar movie gets the plum table.

My messenger at dinner, a headlines publisher from The Hollywood Reporter, told me that this is because the American guest enthusiastically spin up to the Baftas. Its one of the slightest bleak endowment ceremonies on the circuit. It knows a great movie when it sees it. And the not on top of a confidant domestic gesture.

Dont blink British amateurism. It gets results.

No comments:

Post a Comment