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Oscar's winning words:
The pros critique Academy Awards acceptance speeches.
By Tom O'Neil, The Envelope from the LOS ANGELES TIMES.COM
March 2, 2007
Mirren's royal approach
LASKIN: I think Helen Mirren really worked. She sounded regal and looked regal. Her words were so well crafted. She talked about the consistency of the queen and her dignity.
The speech had a beginning, middle and an end. She mentioned how everyone wishes they'd win a little gold star someday and then she carried that theme through. Obviously, she's a pro who was well prepared. She knows what you have to do. You have to write it, practice it, perform it.
GIBBONS: Helen Mirren was so stellar in her absolute inhabiting of that moment. I did feel she was a little too practiced, probably because she had too many trips up to a podium earlier.
Now the handbag was weird. It would have been much better to have two hands available and not have the handbag be an accessory to steal part of her thunder.
Wasn't there somebody there to handle that? She didn't pull a cheat sheet out. Maybe she had her Banaca in there. No girl should ever be too far away from her Banaca and lip gloss.
HAMMOND: The epitome of class and charm. Every one of her seemingly thousands of acceptance speeches this year has been different, articulate, spirited and funny.
Her "Here's To The Queen" exclamation at the end was a topper for the season. Don't know why she had to bring her purse on stage, however. She may be the first winner to accept with a purse tucked under her arm. Distracting.
Next: Forest Whitaker