If I were permitted access to the Oscars this evening, the first thing I’d do is find Richard E Grant. He’s my new favourite person and, after spending the past two months watching him excitedly beam his way through awards season, I figure he’d also probably be the most fun to hang out with – him or Olivia Colman. Both actors have taken to the red carpet over the past few weeks, each practically skipping their way into the ceremonies at which they have been nominated and, in some cases, been awarded top prizes. Their joy is infectious. You can’t help but smile while watching Colman shout out to her “bitches” during her Golden Globes acceptance speech or when Grant posts a video on Twitter of him yelling an ecstatic “Haaa!” in the street upon learning he’s been nominated for an Oscar. They’re both as excited as normal people would probably be in their position and, honestly, their attitude has been the best thing about awards season 2019.
“Haha. Trying to look laid back and casual about the Oscars weekend ahead, but unable to quell our glee!” captioned four photos of Grant and his daughter Olivia on a flight to LA earlier this week. Please, Richard, do not quell your glee. After more than three decades of appearing on our screens and cementing himself as a mainstay in British cinema and television – a career that began with his brilliant debut in Withnail & I – why should he? Nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Can You Ever Forgive Me?, it’s astonishing to think that this is the first time his work has been recognised by the critics responsible for doling out awards, but since it is, he should continue to lap up every second. Watching him enjoy himself while taking selfies outside of Barbara Streisand’s house is far more heartening than seeing all of his counterparts feign coolness with stern poses on the red carpet.
And then there’s Olivia Colman. Unlike Grant, she’s racked up plenty of awards throughout her career, with four Baftas and two Golden Globes to her name – this year’s newly acquired accolades for her role in The Favourite included. But has that dampened the thrill of being publicly told she’s one of the world’s best actors? Absolutely not. Although her absence from social media means we have less access to golden Twitter content such as Grant’s, her red carpet grins and acceptance speeches have made it abundantly clear that Colman is still really, really excited. “We’re going to get so pissed later,” she told the audience at the Golden Globes, a moment that made such an impact it was referenced in a skit on Saturday Night Live last weekend. “I’m sorry, I’m a bit pissed at the moment,” said Cecily Strong during her impersonation. “I’ve been celebrating my two Golden Globes and none of you know who the hell I am, so I can do or say whatever I want. Oh, I’m gonna wee!”
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Those across the pond can poke fun at Colman’s giddy relatability, but I, for one, salute her. Of course she’s going to get drunk; she’s nominated for an Oscar. And while Grant is teetotal, I hope he at least goes on a wild star-snapping selfie spree tonight to celebrate his achievements (fingers crossed a Streisand-Grant snap graces our Twitter feeds tomorrow morning). These are two actors who have worked in the industry for decades and are currently riding the wave that comes with being at the top of their game. Why we should expect them to play it cool and pretend to stoically await a win à la DiCaprio is beyond me.
In a society that’s constantly straining to look cool on Instagram, Grant and Colman’s authenticity this awards season has been a breath of fresh air. They’ve reminded us that it’s OK to get excited about success and celebrate it accordingly, even if that means sacrificing composure in front of the whole world. And would it really be a sacrifice in the first place? If their awards season rollercoaster has proved anything, it’s that everyone loves a grateful and relatable winner. Maybe we just all need to take a page out of their book and allow ourselves to get giddy when good things happen. The world could use more of Grant and Colman’s joy, so let’s get celebrating.
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