When Dame Helen Mirren graced the stage at the Beverly Hilton to accept the 37th annual American Cinematheque Award on Thursday evening, she initiated her speech by delivering a refined, albeit cliched, expression of appreciation for her longstanding career in Hollywood.
“Esteemed guests, ladies and gentlemen, and dear friends, I am truly humbled and deeply honored to be here today, accepting this exceptional award,” Mirren articulated while reading from a sizable document. “Acknowledging a lifetime dedicated to the art of acting is a privilege that words cannot encompass. Primarily, I wish to convey my sincere thanks to the industry and the individuals who have stood by me throughout this remarkable journey. My life has been marked by passion, hurdles, and most importantly, an unwavering affection for the craft of storytelling.”
The speech followed a conventional pattern typical of lifetime achievement acknowledgments, a formula familiar to veterans of the award circuit. Hence, it might have appeared genuine to the audience. However, as she neared the conclusion, Mirren playfully tore up her notes and declared, “That was written by AI!”
In the context of the event, the revelation served as a light-hearted jest rather than a defiance of industry conventions. It resonated well at a gala supporting the conservation of arthouse cinema and traditional projection methods, underscoring Mirren’s endearment that led to her deserving the prestigious award.
Despite a plethora of tributes from Hollywood luminaries throughout the evening, affirming Mirren’s illustrious filmography, the reminder seemed superfluous. A multitude of renowned personalities congregated at the Beverly Hilton to pay homage to Mirren’s extensive contributions. While the American Cinematheque Award stood as a significant accolade, it was overshadowed by The Rock’s virtual accolade, expressing his desire to share a glass of his Teremana tequila with Mirren.
Moreover, the evening celebrated the achievements of legendary market researcher Kevin Goetz, who received the Power of Cinema Award. The event featured a video montage with congratulatory messages from industry stalwarts such as Tom Cruise, Margot Robbie, Judd Apatow, and Charlize Theron.
The focal point of the night remained the heartfelt speeches extolling Mirren’s artistry and personal charisma. Bryan Cranston initiated the accolades with risqué humor, reminiscing about playing roles alongside Mirren and jesting about her portrayal in a Greta Gerwig film. Sir Patrick Stewart shared anecdotes from his early collaborations with Mirren at the Royal Shakespeare Company, humorously acknowledging his admiration for her. Pierce Brosnan expressed his enduring admiration for Mirren, despite their limited interaction. Alan Cumming introduced a video tribute highlighting Mirren’s bold on-screen choices, lauding her confidence as an inspiration to audiences worldwide.
As the tributes transitioned from light-hearted anecdotes to poignant reflections, Mirren’s husband, filmmaker Taylor Hackford, commended her for her role as a stepmother to his sons. Andrea Riseborough expressed gratitude for Mirren’s mentorship, recalling a humorous incident involving ankle photography. Vin Diesel deviated from the script to deliver a heartfelt tribute, recounting moments of camaraderie with Mirren on the set of “Fast and Furious” films.
The emotional crescendo of the evening came with a brief yet touching tribute from Mirren’s “1923” co-star Harrison Ford, visibly moving the Oscar winner as the night progressed.
“I wish for each of you to experience this moment someday,” Mirren stated at the outset of her speech. “Because it is truly incredible. And authentic.”
