An Oscar Winner

Do unto others as you would have them do to you.

Luke 6:31

I love Colin Firth as an actor.  I have been a fan of his ever since I first saw the movie, Pride and Prejudice produced by the British Broadcasting Corporation, and his portrayal of the quintessential “Darcy.”  In one of my favorite films, Love Actually, he portrays Jamie, a lonely writer who falls in love with his Portuguese housekeeper who speaks only her native tongue.  Firth studies Portuguese in order to propose; she studies English in order to win him.

Firth’s latest film is The King’s Speech, the story of King Edward VI, who had a terrible stutter.  His portrayal of a monarch struggling to overcome a speech impediment so that he can speak confidently to his people during a time of war is astounding.  I can’t even imagine the hours-days-months of preparation that he gave to this role.  His enormous talent and dedication to his craft was finally recognized last night when he won the Oscar for Best Actor. 

Beyond his gift, I admire Mr. Firth for the fact that life is not all about him.  He appears to have no swagger, no braggadocio, and no delusions that he is the center of his own universe.  He is a somewhat self-deprecating man who can make a joke at his own expense and laugh at his own foibles. 

Perhaps Firth is so grounded because he comes from a long line of pastors, priests, missionaries and teachers.  He is certainly a believer in the Golden Rule.  He recently said, "To me it's just basic civilization to help people. I find it incredibly painful to see how we dismiss the most desperate people in our society.”  He works for the welfare of indigenous tribes and against the deportation of those people who might suffer recrimination on return to their native land.  He is a man that uses his wealth, his talent and his influence for the good of others.  As a caring human being, he certainly has my vote.