Richard Curtis gets real . . . again!
Great insight from Doctor Media about how the British might be uniquely situated to insert global political messages into entertainment "without raising the rest of the world's [and America's] hackles - at least in part when their message is about global cooperation and assistance as opposed to the threats and bullying ...". I thought it'd be worthwhile adding something about that last point - that the Brits just might be able to have a go even at U.S. "bullying" and get away with it.
Take that lovely lovely man, Richard Curtis. Choire Sicha in the aforementioned LA Times article on Curtis and "The Girl in the Café" (starring the wonderful Bill Nighy and Scottish Trainspotting "girl" Kelly Macdonald) missed something when he (she?) reported that Curtis in his movies has "largely been ignorant of concerns beyond fat thighs and the rocky roads of romance." But, I ask you(!), what about the key scene in 2003's Love Actually, where the British prime minister (played by Hugh Grant) finally stands up to the philandering sleazoid American president (Billy-Bob Thornton) - and at a press conference no less! Here, courtesy of imdb.com, is the exchange.
And then the whole conference room bursts into wondrous applause, and in subsequent scenes all of Britain is buzzing about how the PM stood up to the Pres and isn't that wonderful. One in the eye for the yanks there, eh?
Yes, I know it was all cheesy and completely implausible, but I bet most Brits secretly really enjoyed that scene (I know I did!). So this has got to be a little political, no? Maybe something America should be concerned about? Yet Love Actually was pretty successful in America, making at least $60 million here by February 2004. But I don't remember a right-wing backlash against Curtis and British film generally. (Was there one?) Did Curtis get his sucker punch in under the radar? Or did Hannity and Co. merely think "It's just those eccentric Brits, bless 'em"? "It's only Hugh Grant, he's so cute"?; "What was that about Harry Potter?" Or what? So yes, I think there really is something to this idea that the Brits can take shots at the States and get away with it - while the French or anyone else trying it on would have to dive for cover. Good one, Doctor Media! And the whole G8/Live Aid thing is going to be really fascinating as it develops, and its influence is felt in the US. Stand by for action!
Take that lovely lovely man, Richard Curtis. Choire Sicha in the aforementioned LA Times article on Curtis and "The Girl in the Café" (starring the wonderful Bill Nighy and Scottish Trainspotting "girl" Kelly Macdonald) missed something when he (she?) reported that Curtis in his movies has "largely been ignorant of concerns beyond fat thighs and the rocky roads of romance." But, I ask you(!), what about the key scene in 2003's Love Actually, where the British prime minister (played by Hugh Grant) finally stands up to the philandering sleazoid American president (Billy-Bob Thornton) - and at a press conference no less! Here, courtesy of imdb.com, is the exchange.
- Press Conference Reporter: Mr. President, has it been a good visit?
The President (Billy-Bob Thornton): Very satisfactory indeed. We got what we came for and our special relationship is still very special.
Press Conference Reporter: Prime Minister?
Prime Minister (Hugh Grant): I love that word "relationship". Covers all manner of sins, doesn't it? I fear that this has become a bad relationship. A relationship based on the President taking exactly what he wants and casually ignoring all those things that really matter to, erm... Britain. We may be a small country but we're a great one, too. The country of Shakespeare, Churchill, the Beatles, Sean Connery, Harry Potter. David Beckham's right foot. David Beckham's left foot, come to that. And a friend who bullies us is no longer a friend. And since bullies only respond to strength, from now onward, I will be prepared to be much stronger. And the President should be prepared for that.
And then the whole conference room bursts into wondrous applause, and in subsequent scenes all of Britain is buzzing about how the PM stood up to the Pres and isn't that wonderful. One in the eye for the yanks there, eh?
Yes, I know it was all cheesy and completely implausible, but I bet most Brits secretly really enjoyed that scene (I know I did!). So this has got to be a little political, no? Maybe something America should be concerned about? Yet Love Actually was pretty successful in America, making at least $60 million here by February 2004. But I don't remember a right-wing backlash against Curtis and British film generally. (Was there one?) Did Curtis get his sucker punch in under the radar? Or did Hannity and Co. merely think "It's just those eccentric Brits, bless 'em"? "It's only Hugh Grant, he's so cute"?; "What was that about Harry Potter?" Or what? So yes, I think there really is something to this idea that the Brits can take shots at the States and get away with it - while the French or anyone else trying it on would have to dive for cover. Good one, Doctor Media! And the whole G8/Live Aid thing is going to be really fascinating as it develops, and its influence is felt in the US. Stand by for action!
posted by hdougie at 2:10 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home