BEAUTIFUL AURELIA, I'VE COME HERE WITH A VIEW OF ASKING YOU TO MARRIAGE ME: Yes, of course, building off yesterday's question I'd like your favorites from Firth, and I will impose no artificial limit on the number of commenters who point to a certain BBC production.
I'd have to go with "A Single Man". Just a completely beautiful movie, and Firth is tremendous at its center. (He likely should have won for that movie, and Jeff Bridges likely should win for "True Grit", but I'm happy they're both going to have Oscars, just in the wrong years.) Also, one of Oscar's more egregious snubs in recent memory is overlooking Julianne Moore's performance in "A Single Man". Not even a nomination!!!
ReplyDeleteThe man pulled off wearing a certain ugly Christmas sweater with aplomb, to be sure, as well as speaking horrible Porteuguse. Man, my knowledge of Firth movies oddly sucks. (Girl With Pearl Earring is interesting, but nothing I'd rave over.)
ReplyDeleteThough if we're going to talk Firth in Love, Actually (hey, why not) I think that his storyline is the most troublesome to me just because it seems so divorced from the rest of the movie (heck, I think the movie stand-ins with Martin Freeman are more integral). It's a good story and I like both Firth and Lucia Moniz in it though.
This is sort of embarassing, but I kind of love him in "What A Girl Wants." His way of playing an upper crusty British politician with a secret edge and silly side gets me every time. And then of course, "A Single Man" in which his performance is just heartbreakingly amazing and effortless.
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing wrong with appreciating Firth in leather pants!
ReplyDeleteI second "What A Girl Wants"- he was perfect for the part.
ReplyDeleteNot my favorite, but it was interesting to see him play somewhat against type in "Where the Truth Lies." Again, it's not my favorite and I can't even say I liked the film that much, but I thought it was a stretch for Firth and he handled it well.
ReplyDeleteHis somewhat minor role in "The English Patient" was heartbreaking, but he's forever swoon-worthy to me as Mark Darcy (but let's all just pretend the second movie never happened).
Having said ALL that, though, I think his turn in "The King's Speech" is my favorite. "A Single Man" left me cold.
Today will be my first day home alone with a new baby and I've been planning on celebrating it with that BBC production you were alluding to. (I can't be the only one who held her breath when she realized Jennifer Ehle was in King's Speech, too!)
ReplyDeleteAnd then maybe I'll go with my old standby favorites: Realitive Values and Importance of Being Earnest. Or maybe I'll just sleep.
Anyhow, the last two years have been stellar for him and I can't wait to see what he's doing next.
I'm quite happy with pretending The English Patient never happend.
ReplyDeleteI introduce Lucy to WAGW a few Sundays ago when it was airing on ABC Family. It's a perfectly lovely, unexceptional movie. But will no one speak up for Lord Wessex?
ReplyDeleteI never really got the Firth love. He seems like the adult version of the unthreatening boys that seem to appeal to tween girls. I have no particular problem with him but fail to understand his leading-man appeal.
ReplyDeleteI adore "Shakespeare in Love" so while I might say that it's my favorite movie Firth has done, I would never single out Lord Wessex as his best role, or my favorite one of his roles. Too one-note (and unlikable, though well done) compared to the other things he's done.
ReplyDeleteJeez, I forgot Earnest. It's not a perfect movie, but oy did I enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteI thought he was incredible in A Single Man. (And the antithesis of the unthreatening thing Isaac somewhat rightly notes that he plays in Bridget Jones and its ilk.) It's such a taut performance - all tight expressions and body language. Brilliant.
ReplyDeleteI never quite understood the backlash against that film - it was gorgeously shot and contained fine performances all around.
ReplyDeleteAgreed on both points. The problem is that it contains twice as many shots as it needs with only 1/10th of the quality of the script to support them. The actors and cinematographer can only do so much.
ReplyDeleteOn Monday, I commented on the appeal of Annette Bening in a white shirt. Today, I will express the same appreciation for Colin Firth in a white shirt in the BBC P&P. He is a lovely man, especially in that scene.
ReplyDeleteI will second the love for and name the BBC production -- my favorite Firth has to be Mr. Darcy in Pride & Prejudice. I also love him for Bridget Jones' Diary, both for taking on the Darcy role in that, and for the hilarious fight scene with him and Hugh Grant.
ReplyDeleteI pretty much just love him in everything, which can be proven by the fact that the calendar my friend made me for the holidays of all of my desert island guys has Firth as Mr. July.
"that man can wear a sweater." The English version of Fever Pitch was decent, even if it did romanticize a Gooner.
ReplyDeleteI like many movies that Colin Firth has been in. A Single Man would be my vote for favorite Colin Firth Movie though. He is a great addition to a cast, but that movie is the first one where he owned every frame, even stealing it from the (criminally underappreciated) wonderful performance of Julianne Moore.
ReplyDeleteI trust everyone caught the 60 Minutes profile last week? I enjoyed it so much because it let him be irreverent and funny -- and profess his love for drag!
ReplyDeleteI forgot that one! Slogged through the book (not being a soccer person and not liking the obsessiveness), but definitely enjoyed the movie. Though my biggest votes have to go to P&P and A Single Man.
ReplyDeleteI also kinda liked him in Nanny McPhee.
I declare a three-way tie for P & P, A Single Man and The King's Speech. I agree that The English Patient is overlong, but there's one scene there when his character sees his wife & her lover, and Firth's silent reaction just breaks my heart.
ReplyDeleteDid anyone catch him on Inside the Actor's Studio earlier this month? Just completely charming and smart and funny, and altogether swoon-worthy.
It's on again soon and I'm taping it - glad to know it's so good! And yes, forgot to include King's Speech, which should absolutely be on the list. I'm completely on board with your three-way tie.
ReplyDeleteI had no strong feelings either way... until I saw BBC Pride and Prejudice. Oh, my (swoon).
ReplyDeleteP&P and Bridget Jones, for certain. Pretty much everything he's been in. I haven't seen The King's Speech yet- I'm dreadful about seeing movies- but will likely catch it in the next couple of weeks.
ReplyDeleteI think he's just smart and funny. That's why I like him.