The King's Speech and the illusion of monarchy.

I watched the last few minutes of the Oscars last night, best director, actress, actor, film. I usually don't watch any of it. I understand this wasn't a particularly good show compared to recent years, but compared to the horrifyingly dull ones of my youth, it wasn't that bad.

I have to admit I was rooting against TKS for best actor and best picture. I thought it was a very fine film, I enjoyed watching it very much. As a story about someone overcoming a debilitating problem it was excellent. I'm just not convinced it was ever the best of the best.

( History lesson )

Also perhaps it was fitting that the very pretty Anne Hathaway never got comfortable in her role as host and fumbled her way through toward the end.