“The Queen” reigned as the only multiple award-winning movie at the LAFCA dinner this year. Deservedly so for doing such a wonderful job of humanizing Elizabeth II and Prime Minister Tony Blair. But the sensitive artists who made it, it turns out, are really just a bunch of jesters.
Take director Stephen Freaers, who accepted for supporting actor winner Michael Sheen, who was stuck doing a play back in Britain and couldn’t be honored for his portrayal of Blair in person.
“I’m sorry,” Freaers started, “Michael is in what he calls rainswept Wales, which means he’s probably a lot warmer than I’ve been this weekend in L.A. He sent me a speech but I’ll edit it, because he’s Welsh and he goes on a bit.
” ‘Thanks so much to the critics of Los Angeles for this great honor, for showing such taste and sophistication. I’m so sorry I can’t be with you, I’m running the country. Many thanks to the wonderful producers [names listed, we won’t bore you] and distributors [ditto], Dylan Thomas, Richard Burton, Anthony Hopkins . . .’
“. . . And then there’s ‘arch druids’,” Frears sniffed.
Not to be outdone, best actress winner Helen Mirren concluded her thank yous with a heartfelt shout-out to her spouse, “Ray” director Taylor Hackford: “Last of all, thank you to my husband for still wanting to sleep with me even though he’s seen me dressed as the queen . . . Or, maybe, because!”
And best screenwriter Peter Morgan, who also adapted “Last King of Scotland,” noted that “In an industry that seems obsessed by sequels, I’m somewhat depressed that nobody’s approached me for ‘Idi Amin and The Queen.’ They met on a number of occasions . . . you can imagine.
“He started writing letters to her, and it’s probably one of the great letter-exchanging romances of history. If any producers are noticing, this is a pitch.”