Acceptance speeches – love ‘em or hate ‘em, they’re just as important as getting the gong in the first place. And can sometimes be a deal breaker for public opinion. A case in point, Kate Winslet’s gushing blubfest at January’s Golden Globes received derisory column inches here in the UK. Especially noteworthy was her memory loss on fellow best actress nominee Angelina Jolie: “Oh my God, who’s the other one?” Doh!
Could it be the British stiff upper? Perhaps we prefer our thesps to keep their emotion for the screen. Nor do we like to feel there’s an element of oozing, luvvy insincerity lurking in those tear ducts. [personally I think Winslet’s outpouring was completely genuine]. In a ‘note to self’, the uber-talented actress has told reporters that she’ll be writing a speech for the BAFTAs tonight. Good thinking, Kate.
So here, in no particular order, are my top 5 emotional gong fest acceptance speeches:
Kate Winslet: 2009 Golden Globes http://youtube.com/v/5jjVtaaP0Uo Sally Field: 1985 Oscars Sally etched her place in Oscar history with her acceptance speech for Places in the Heart with the immortal: "I can't deny the fact that you like me, right now, you like me!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IynQCmqvXZs&fs=1
Gwyneth Paltrow: 1999 Oscars http://youtube.com/v/SxAqSqJOydw Halle Berry: 2002 Oscars http://youtube.com/v/llgL7mGYVTI Cher: 1998 Oscars Winning Best Actress for Moonstruck was a career peak for Cher. Until she forgot to thank her director (Norman Jewison) and co-stars – focusing instead on her hair and make-up people. She clearly wasn’t bothered about working with Norm again.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ITNp0kPgcY&fs=1
