Golden Years
“THE award for lifetime achievement goes to…”
So begins the Mail’s encomium to Her Majesty the Queen, saviour of the British film and television industry.
Shout it from the rooftops that British entertainment if not all about thick, freeloading bigots sat in a huge house in the shires. It’s about the Royal Family, too.
Was it not Her Majesty the Queen who inspired Helen Mirren to win a Golden Globe award for her portrayal of Liz in the film The Queen? Mirren, pictured holding her Globes on the Mail’s Page 3, dedicates her achievement to the regent. “I honestly think this award belongs to her,” says Mirren, “because I think you fell in love with her, not with me.”
Of course, Queen Liz is too gracious a person to accept the offer of the gold paint and paste statuette. In any case, as Mirren goes on to say, Queen Elizabeth “already has an orb to go with her sceptre”.
Sharing an award is no easy matter. While one party of the double act gets to house the thing, the other must make do with visitation rights. Better to have one each. And, as luck has it, Helen scoops another gong for her title role in the television drama Elizabeth I.
(To the Sun’s movie critic, the often topless Mirren now boasts a pair of “GGs”.)
As Mirren’s American audience will know, Elizabeth I came before the sequel Elizabeth II. And there must surely be a place for another movie in this Elizabeth franchise.
But before Elizabeth III hits the screens, we should savour the moment. Whenever British stars win gongs in America we are ever so proud.
The Express is “Thrilled to Brits” to see Mirren’s trophies lined up alongside those won by Jeremy Irons, Sacha Baron Cohen and Hugh Laurie.
These are the champions of British entertainment. In spite of a broadcast industry that pumps out bilge, drivel and the best of American imports, talent can shine through and win nine prestigious awards. It truly is incredible.
Posted: 17th, January 2007 | In: Tabloids Comment | TrackBack | Permalink
