British sangfroid: An outdated stereotype

Gerald · 02-26-11, 08:43 AM

In unstable times, one near certainty is that Colin Firth will win the Best Actor Oscar this Sunday for his performance in The King's Speech.

British bookmakers William Hill are virtually paying out already - the final odds were 1/50.

The main reason Firth will win is that his portrayal of stuttering King George VI is excellent.

But another important one is that it conforms to the stereotype that many of the Academy Award's Hollywood voters have of the British: emotionally cool and reticent, unruffled by the ordinary floods of emotions that roil lesser mortals - particularly those making deals in the insane asylum that is the film business.

Firth, Oscar-nominated last year for a different understated performance in Tom Ford's A Single Man, is the latest in a line of stars going back to David Niven and Ronald Colman projecting this kind of dispassionate sangfroid.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-12576699

Note: 26 February 2011 Last updated at 01:03 GMT

frau kaleun · 02-26-11, 12:46 PM

Ah, Ronald Colman. The thinking woman's Errol Flynn.

Oberon · 02-26-11, 12:57 PM

I personally quite love the British stereotype.

frau kaleun · 02-26-11, 12:58 PM

How did Claude Rains get left out? One of my all-time favorites.

Weiss Pinguin · 02-26-11, 01:09 PM

Schöneboom · 02-26-11, 01:10 PM

My GF (from the Midlands) and I are def. old-school about our stereotypes:

Oberon · 02-26-11, 01:16 PM

Very good, very good indeed.

frau kaleun · 02-26-11, 01:38 PM

Pip pip cheerio, old chap, what's all this then?

Oberon · 02-26-11, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frau kaleun

Pip pip cheerio, old chap, what's all this then?

Well I say, what a hullabaloo, now lets all settle down for a nice cup of tea and a chinwag, what?

Gerald · 02-26-11, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oberon

Well I say, what a hullabaloo, now lets all settle down for a nice cup of tea and a chinwag, what?

Good idea,

Platapus · 02-26-11, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frau kaleun

Ah, Ronald Colman. The thinking woman's Errol Flynn.

Quote:

Originally Posted by frau kaleun

How did Claude Rains get left out? One of my all-time favorites.

How about Ronald Colman, Claude Rains, bottle of champagne, three glasses..... and you?

Gerald · 02-26-11, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Platapus

How about Ronald Colman, Claude Rains, bottle of champagne, three glasses..... and you?

Do you think this is a dating site?

Takeda Shingen · 02-26-11, 05:42 PM

Cor blimey! Freshen ya drink gov'na?

frau kaleun · 02-26-11, 07:31 PM

Alright, who let the Cockney in?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Platapus

How about Ronald Colman, Claude Rains, bottle of champagne, three glasses..... and you?

I can live with that.

Gerald · 02-26-11, 07:47 PM

02-26-11, 08:43 AM	#1
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	British sangfroid: An outdated stereotype In unstable times, one near certainty is that Colin Firth will win the Best Actor Oscar this Sunday for his performance in The King's Speech. British bookmakers William Hill are virtually paying out already - the final odds were 1/50. The main reason Firth will win is that his portrayal of stuttering King George VI is excellent. But another important one is that it conforms to the stereotype that many of the Academy Award's Hollywood voters have of the British: emotionally cool and reticent, unruffled by the ordinary floods of emotions that roil lesser mortals - particularly those making deals in the insane asylum that is the film business. Firth, Oscar-nominated last year for a different understated performance in Tom Ford's A Single Man, is the latest in a line of stars going back to David Niven and Ronald Colman projecting this kind of dispassionate sangfroid. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-12576699 Note: 26 February 2011 Last updated at 01:03 GMT __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

02-26-11, 01:09 PM	#5
Weiss Pinguin Ocean Warrior Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Auburn, Alabama Posts: 3,333 Downloads: 101 Uploads: 0	__________________

02-26-11, 01:10 PM	#6
Schöneboom Seasoned Skipper Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 651 Downloads: 36 Uploads: 0	My GF (from the Midlands) and I are def. old-school about our stereotypes: __________________ Dietrich Schöneboom, U-431 "Es wird klappen, Herr Kaleun. Ganz sicher."

02-26-11, 07:47 PM	#15
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	__________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

02-26-11, 12:46 PM	#2
frau kaleun Rear Admiral Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Skyri--oh who are we kidding, I'm probably at Lowe's. Again. Posts: 12,706 Downloads: 168 Uploads: 0	Ah, Ronald Colman. The thinking woman's Errol Flynn.

02-26-11, 12:57 PM	#3
Oberon Lucky Jack Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 25,976 Downloads: 61 Uploads: 20	I personally quite love the British stereotype.

02-26-11, 12:58 PM	#4
frau kaleun Rear Admiral Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Skyri--oh who are we kidding, I'm probably at Lowe's. Again. Posts: 12,706 Downloads: 168 Uploads: 0	How did Claude Rains get left out? One of my all-time favorites.

02-26-11, 01:16 PM	#7
Oberon Lucky Jack Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 25,976 Downloads: 61 Uploads: 20	Very good, very good indeed.

02-26-11, 01:38 PM	#8
frau kaleun Rear Admiral Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Skyri--oh who are we kidding, I'm probably at Lowe's. Again. Posts: 12,706 Downloads: 168 Uploads: 0	Pip pip cheerio, old chap, what's all this then?

02-26-11, 05:42 PM	#13
Takeda Shingen Navy Seal Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 8,643 Downloads: 19 Uploads: 0	Cor blimey! Freshen ya drink gov'na?