What is the Royal appeal?
Do the Oscar nominations for the King's Speech point towards a truth about how the Americans see themselves in relation to the British? Take Shakespeare in Love for instance - the story of a lowly playwright capturing the heart of a noble woman, or Mrs Brown - where Queen Victoria develops a very close relationship with her servant, or The Queen - where Her Majesty is counselled by Tony Blair.
All were Oscar nominees (with some going on to be winners), all are stories where the commoner gains parity with a Royal or aristocratic personage. Here's Dame Judi Dench and Nick James, the editor of , on the subject.
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Comment number 1.
At 26th Jan 2011, John_from_Hendon wrote:Play to your national stereotype - is a safe rule for winning gongs on an international stage. If you want to portray a Martian then please be green!
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Comment number 2.
At 27th Jan 2011, L A Odicean wrote:Americans are looking forward to the impending royal wedding as much as some, but by no means all, of the British. Their current insecurity and their lack of confidence with their own society, cause them to look abroad for reassurance.
They are indoctrinated from an early age with the idea that anything with a whiff of socialism about it is inherently evil, so that our Royal Family comforts them with its exclusivity, wealth and glamour, three qualities which American culture, sadly, holds in high esteem.
Their fascination is fascinating.
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Comment number 3.
At 30th Jan 2011, agb wrote:Here in New York, all my American friends tell me that the most enjoyable feature of the movie story is that it turns their usual history on its head - they are accustomed to think well of Edward VIII and Mrs Simpson, and far less well of the establishment that bounced them out. And this movie presented the "facts" in a "whole new light". Me, I thought the screenplay was rubbish, and the performances wooden.....
AGB
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Comment number 4.
At 31st Jan 2011, RaleighDurham wrote:Actually, we're pretty fond of your acting and your accents. I think you're reading much more into things than necessary.
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Comment number 5.
At 2nd Feb 2011, JoeA wrote:The King's Speech is interesting because (understandably) the issue of King George's speech impediment isn't a commonly known thing in the US, and thus an interesting subject. Further more the concept of overcoming one's circumstances and problems is a theme which resonates well with a US audience. Especially as it is one a core principle of our culture. The Royal family appeal seems like more of a draw for British audiences.
Meanwhile, condescending speculation about our "fascination" is fascinating.
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