GEOFFREY RUSH: Thank you to the – it shouldn’t be called the SAG Award, it should be called the “Uplifting” Award. [laughter] They’ve asked me to speak because at one point the film was going to be called The King’s Speech Therapist. [laughter] But then they decided against that. You’re aware, this is an amazing ensemble. There are two families in this story: there’s a royal family, there’s a colonial family. I’d like to steal this opportunity because you know all these people. I would like to congratulate as part of this ensemble win the members of my onscreen family: Dominick Applewhite, Ben Wimsett, and Calum Gittins who played my family, [applause] along with Jennifer Ehle. [applause]
Playing Helena and Calum’s children, the lovely Freya Wilson, who plays our current queen when she was 10-years-old. And Ramona Marquez, the young boy, Jake Hathaway. To me it’s one of the most heartbreaking shots in the film, when he comes up as my protégé to welcome the Duke of York into his first lesson. I think it’s an astonishing performance.
At the top end of the scale we have such a roll call of extraordinary heavy hitter actors, the likes of Michael Gambon and Derek Jacobi, and Timothy Spall, the list goes on and on. On top of that I would particularly like to sing about the delicious Claire Bloom who I only got to meet in the trailer. [applause] That she puts us all in this company one degree of separation from Charlie Chaplin, which I find kind of overwhelming.
If we think about it, if young Freya Wilson for example, reaches the maturity and goes on to act in a way that Claire Bloom has done, she could well be standing up here in 2070, and that’s what our industry’s about. Thank you very much. [applause]
Oh, this is really something. Thank you. Now, until today I would say probably if ever I felt that I’ve had a trophy which is – told me that something’s really happening for me – it was my SAG card. And, you know, to be a part of this extraordinary collective, if you – growing up in England you – it’s not something you expect to see in your wallet really. And so it has this glow and I used to flash it around, hoping it would get me female attention. And... [laughter] entry into night clubs and top level government departments – and it didn’t. [laughter] And now I’ve got this.
So, I’d like to thank – looking out at who’s here – I’d like to thank security for letting me into the building. [laughter] And I would like to single out just three of I think the most extraordinary members of my profession: Anthony Andrews, Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter. They’re my dream cast. [applause] I want to take you all and just – and go on tour. And I’d like to bring my resident magician, Tom Hooper; our extraordinary writer, David Seidler.
It would have to be produced by Emile Sherman, Ian Canning, and Gareth Unwin, and of course, the intrepid Harvey and everyone at the Weinstein Company. And just for their company alone, if not for their extraordinary wisdom and skill: Jessica Kolstad, Chris Andrews, Pauline Marois, and my friend Tom Ford. And, you know, at the heart of it all, as always, would be my constant beautiful traveler, Olivia. Thank you very much. [applause]
Thank you so much. Jeff Bridges, thank you. [applause] And to all the actresses in this category and the performances this year in general. I’m so humbled to be among you. And I’ve been working since I was eleven years old, and SAG has taken care of me. They made sure that I wasn’t working too long and made sure that I got my education while I was working.
And I’m so grateful to have this Union protecting me every day. And... [applause] my fellow actors in the film: Mila, Vincent, Winona, Barbara, all of the dancers, everyone who helped me prepare for the film; Mary Helen Bowers who trained me for a year. And of course, Darren Aronofsky, our director, who I love so much.
My parents who, you know, always tell me to work my hardest and never me an asshole, never acceptable. [laughter] And my fiancé, Benjamin Millepied, I love you very much. Thank you. [applause]
CHRISTIAN BALE: Well, thank you so much, you know, this being...
[DICKY EKLUND JOINS CHRISTIAN BALE AT PODIUM]
CHRISTIAN BALE: Hey, Dicky! All right! [laughs] All right. This is the original “placker” [sp] right here, you know! [cheers]
DICKY EKLUND: All right, buddy. Good job, Christian.
CHRISTIAN BALE: Thank you, mate. Thank you for living the life, and thank you for letting me play you, you know.
DICKY EKLUND; How do you like me now?
CHRISTIAN BALE: You’re a real gentleman, you know, mate? I like you now. I like you now.
DICKY EKLUND: So do I.
CHRISTIAN BALE: Thank you so much, guys. This is really meaningful getting it from fellow actors. I truly appreciate that. And, you know, these speeches often get boring because the problem is that when you win something you realize just how many other people you’re dependent upon. So, you know, absolutely, to my fellow actors, they were just stunning. To my director, producers, the writers, Relativity, Paramount for pushing this, recognizing what they had here, you know, I really appreciate that. Thank you so much.
You know, I love acting, I love what we do. It’s so bloody silly at times, isn’t it? You know, it’s like playing dress-up and other times it is so meaningful and I just enjoy that so much; we get to walk in other people’s shoes. And, you know, a life without empathy is no fun at all, and I appreciate being able to do that.
I sometimes get asked by young actors, you know, hey, how did you get into this business, and it’s such an elusive, so mysterious business to get into, isn’t it? And I’ve never had any bloody answers whatsoever. One thing is, just in finding people fascinating. You know, I find people endlessly fascinating and as long as you can do that, then each project seems like something new. And like you’ve got no idea how to do it, you’ve got to discover something once again.
Also, bumping into Mark Wahlberg ain’t bad. All right? I mean, it helped me immensely. If anybody else can manage to fix that one, it’s good for... Having a great team around you, and my mate, Patrick Whitesell, has had my back for so many years. And then the most important team of all, my wife and my daughter. Thank you, my loves. I love you. Cheers. [applause]
[choking up] My God! [applause] Thanks, Dick... I’m much better when I have my words written for me, and somebody’s costumes to put on, like Mark Bridges’ beautiful outfits. But when he showed them to me on the hanger, boy, I thought, “I don’t think so.” [laughter]
This has been an extraordinary season for me. I am so proud to be a part of “The Fighter.” I’m here tonight with six of the seven girls that played my daughters in the film. I couldn’t be here with all y’all actors and not bring them along, right? [applause] Thank you, girls. Thank you for helping me get a man I can bring home with me tonight. [laughter]
Thank you, Screen Actors Guild, I don’t know what is ahead for all of us in the future now. If we’re talking about joining together and making the voice of the working actor stronger, let’s join together. Let’s make it a real voice. Unions made this country great because it gives the voice to the working people. I’m sorry to get political, and they’re saying wrap it up.
Thank for this opportunity, Mark Wahlberg and David O. Russell. Thank you, Brad Gray. Thank you Relativity. Thank you. [applause]
