Prize dupes

Britain now takes the Oscars seriously. That’s a crying shame

There was a time when the British took a great deal of pleasure — and not a little bit of pride — in laughing at the self-adoring parade that is the Academy Awards ceremony. The Oscars were regarded as the film equivalent of the Eurovision Song Contest: a fun event that brought out the British talent for mockery. It was nothing more than a chance to check out the fashions and watch Hollywood’s A-list make fools of themselves with overlong and overwrought speeches. Ah, those were the days.

It has all changed now that Britain’s The King’s Speech is up for 12 Academy Awards, including Colin Firth for best actor. Last year the national mood was very different when Firth received a nomination for best actor for his role in the gay drama A Single Man. Hopes were high among film and Firth fans, but there was no sign of all this Andy Murray-like, will-he-won’t-he win anxiety.