Beat-up British Broads

I suppose I fall into that category, but it is actually the name Ernie gives to the triumvirate of mature and gifted actresses—Judi Dench, Maggie Smith and Helen Mirren.

Today two of the beat-up British broads were nominated in the Oscar best actress category. I haven’t seen Judi Dench in Notes on a Scandal, and I look forward to that, but this weekend we saw The Queen and I was blown away by Helen Mirren’s portrayal of Elizabeth II.The movie was magnificent. Perhaps it was a gentle dig at the monarchy, but it was a sensitive portrayal of the current monarch. So much was left unsaid, though much was indicated subtly by clever dialog, facial expressions or brilliantly edited vignettes. With the single exception of the incident with the 14-point stag, I thought the movie was a tour de force of understatement. I don’t know if Her Majesty potters around her bedroom with her hair in curlers, wearing a dumpy chenille robe, or if Cherie Blair burns fish fingers in the kitchen of 10, Downing Street, but I would like to think those are true to life details.

So on Oscar night raise your glasses to the beat-up British broads. There’s life in the old girls yet!