“The King’s Speech”
Written by David Seidler; Directed by Tom Hooper; Stars: Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter. Story: King George IV, seeks out help from a speech therapist to aid his horrible stutter as the king prepares multiple radio speeches when assuming the throne and as England goes to war.
Seen by Adam and Lars, November 30, 2010
LARS:
Let me be completely honest here: reading the synopsis of this movie, I was pretty sure I was going to pull a few catnaps during the screening. A stammering royal meets an unusual speech therapist? It sounds like one of those movies you get dragged to by your better half, kicking and screaming, and you sit there wishing that you were in the theater next door watching that awesome action flick. Well, color me surprised then that I found “The King’s Speech” to be one of the more enjoyable films I’ve seen this year.
There is no doubt that a major reason for this is the cast. Colin Firth is a shoo-in for a nomination for his portrayal of King George VI, or Bertie as he was known amongst friends. After last year’s quietly convincing portrayal of sorrow in “A Single Man”, Colin Firth is finally hitting his stride with parts that he’s probably always been capable of pulling off, but only now that he’s a little long in the tooth to always be cast as the handsome chap, are they finally coming his way. He’s becoming one of my favorite actors.
Geoffrey Rush is no stranger to playing eccentrics. And that can sometimes be his downfall. But here he finds his character perfectly. His portrayal of the speech therapist, Lionel Logue, strikes a great balance between self-confidence and utter fear of being in over his head. Logue has a secret that it would be unfair to mention in this review, and it colors his behavior and his every move, once he realizes who he is dealing with. To see these two great actors spar with each other and make each other’s performances shine is one of the great pleasures of this movie.
But the real genius of the film is how they somehow manage to make it play as a thriller. Because of the fantastic acting, I was genuinely on needles and pins every time Bertie had to give a public speech. Would he manage to get through it without embarrassing himself? Would his temper get the better of him or would he manage to control it? Would his dear wife, the lovely Helena Bonham-Carter for once not in gothic mode, have to send yet another of her supporting smiles his way? On paper it sounds about as exciting as a nice cup of tea (many of which are poured in this film), but somehow it works perfectly.
“The King’s Speech” was directed by Tom Hooper who did the excellent “The Damned United” last year that even a non-football fan could enjoy (soccer to you American heathens). That movie was an acting tour de force for Michael Sheen, so there is good evidence that Hooper really brings out the best in his actors. Definitely a director to watch.
Now go say “he thrusts his fists against the posts and still insists he sees the ghosts” until you have it right, then go see “The King’s Speech”. It deserves a wider audience than just the art film crowd.
ADAM:
Is it really the first week of December? I ask this not just ‘cause time flies when you’re a)busy, b)having fun and c)getting old; I ask because we’re near the end of the year; only a few days remain for films to be released and be eligible for Academy Awards. I always get this feeling as we move into the late fall — it’s almost the end of the year and near everything that’s come out has been an unarguable piece of shit — how can anyone come up with five films to nominate for best picture, much less ten - the ridiculous number of candidates which now vie for the statue.
Well, even though it may be a stretch to say “The King’s Speech” is a shoe in for a best picture nomination, is was one of the more enjoyable films I’ve seen this year. The story itself, about the turn of events that thrust King George VI (a horrible stutterer) into the public spotlight due to his father’s death, his brother’s decision to renounce the throne, and England declaring war against Germany is a bit repetitive. However, the performances by Colin Firth (as the King) and Geoffrey Rush, as the King’s speech therapist Lionel Logue elevates the material like only two of the best actors working can. And the pacing by director Tom Hooper leaves the audience as concerned for the King as his loving family, unsure whether the therapy will take and a speech will be pulled off without incident, or if the King will crash and burn, embarrassing himself and a nation all at once.
With a tight script by David Seidler and nice direction by Hooper, I’d probably like the film regardless of who was in it. The time period interests me, as does the succession of Royal power in England, specifically how one man’s decision to leave the throne for the love of woman can change the future forever (If Edward VIII, played by Guy Pearce, stays King, there’s no King George VI, and thus no Queen Elizabeth, No Charles, Diana, No future King William). Still it’s the brilliant performances by Firth, Rush, and even Helena Bonham Carter, who’s over the top style (with looks to match) usually scares me who carry the picture. Pearce and Michael Gambon as George V round out a excellent group that set and keep the bar high. I expect a nomination for Firth and probably Rush. Beyond that, we’ll have to see. There’s still a few weeks of December left, and I have my fingers crossed.
