Bullock: Oscars & Razzies - how make a speech

I haven’t seen The Blind Side so I can’t comment on Sandra Bullock’s worthiness to win the Oscar Sunday night, but everything about her conduct over the awards weekend justifies it in my book.

Firstly there was the Oscar speech. Easily the best of the night and arguably the best Best Actress acceptance in modern history. It seemed genuine. It had emotion but neither the histrionics of a Halle Berry or a Gwyneth Paltrow nor the forced “look at me emote” of Nicole Kidman. It was funny, from the self deprecating opening of “did I really earn this, or did I just wear y’all down?” to the references. Even when the emotions took over with tributes to her mother she still threw in several funnies and ended on that note too. Often winners evoke the brilliance of their fellow nominees and it is always a hideous, false gush, but not from Bullock, again she seemed genuine and was funny (and thankfully unlike Kate Winslet from last year did remember all of them – she forget Angelina!)

I also like the idea of films like Speed and Demolition Man playing on TV with an “Academy Award winner Sandra Bullock” slogan!

The win also made it a good showing for stars of the 1993 remake of The Vanishing, with both Bullock and Jeff Bridges winning. I bet Kiefer Sutherland and Nancy Travis wish they’d done supporting performances this year.

But ultimately the main reason you have to love her and give her the award is her appearance at and acceptance speech for Worst Actress (for All About Steve) at the Razzie Awards Saturday night – complete with DVD copies of All About Steve for all the members of the audience. She was gracious and hilarious – funnier than she’s been on film in years – and frankly utterly loveable.

This simply demands to be watched:

http://www.darkhorizons.com/news/16553/golden-idol-spirit-awards-the-razzies

She’s never been in a position to win an Oscar prior to The Blind Side and she may never be again and so this seems fine. I would have liked Carey Mulligan to win, but I have no doubt given her extraordinary talent that she’ll have many, many more opportunities.

This was a Bullock version of Julia Roberts’ Erin Brockovich win.

Don’t know what the film is like but after her Razzies and Oscars performances I’m glad I’ll be able to revisit Speed 2: Cruise Control and Love Potion #9 with the knowledge I’m watching Oscar-quality acting (sort of!)