TIFF Movie Review: The King's Speech (2010)
A fantastic film of friendship that is sure to be remembered come year end
Photo: The Weinstein Co.
The most wonderful thing about The King's Speech has little to do with the hardships at hand, the threat of World War II or the speech impediment of King George VI. Of course, these are the important factors that allow the film to move from Point A to Point B, but it's the friendship that forms between King George and his speech therapist, Lionel Logue that absolutely moves you. Add this aspect of the story to the trials King George must face and you have one of the better movies of the year and two performances that must not be missed.
The cast includes Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter, Guy Pearce, Michael Gambon, Timothy Spall, Jennifer Ehle, Derek Jacobi and Anthony Andrews. For more information on this film including pictures, trailers and a detailed synopsis choose from the following menu.
Review
"The King's Speech" is a The Weinstein Co. release, directed by Tom Hooper and is rated R for some language. The running time is 1 hour 58 minutes.
Matters for George become more pressing as his father, George V (Michael Gambon), passes away and his older brother, Prince Edward VII (Guy Pearce) abdicates the throne shortly thereafter in order to marry the twice-divorced woman he loves. Suddenly crowned King George VI, he must overcome his affliction and soon deliver a speech that will unite his nation as they declare war against Germany.
Fresh off last year's stellar performance in A Single Man, Firth's performance here as King George VI is extremely moving. The consternation, frustration and determination seen in his eyes as he tries to find his voice are palpable. Compare that to the compassionate and patient approach Rush applies to Lionel in helping him and the story can't help but emotionally escalate.
Once the film makes its way to its midpoint, a first time visit from George and his wife Elizabeth (Helena Bonham Carter) to the Logue household results in a private sit-down between George and Lionel where the friendship between the two is cemented without hardly a word. It isn't until this moment director Tom Hooper puts the two characters in such intimate proximity, and the effect of the decision is felt immediately.
In that respect, The King's Speech is just as beautifully shot as it is acted and directed. The cinematography by Danny Cohen is quite impressive, particularly a morning stroll following George and Lionel as the sun battles against a low cloud cover. As the film moves forward the shots also become increasingly intimate to the point only faces sometimes fill the screen allowing the weight of every word to be felt.
Supporting performances by Timothy Spall as a frequently scowling, yet considerate Winston Churchill, Derek Jacobi as the Archbishop of Canterbury and Guy Pearce as George's brother Edward are all expertly acted. It's equally nice to see Helena Bonham Carter in a role outside of a Tim Burton or Harry Potter film, proving for the first time in a while there's more talent to her than always playing an eccentric villain.
I expect The King's Speech will be heavily nominated at this year's Oscars as both Firth and Rush seem prime candidates for acting nominations. Hooper's role as director and David Seidler's original screenplay will also be in the mix as well as the film itself for Best Picture. This is a film that gets better and better as it plays on and will surely be remembered at year's end.
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Great news!!!
Went from having next to no interest in this to prognosticating that it will recieve the most nominations out of any film this year. Best Pic, director, screenplay, lead actor, supporting actor, supporting actress, score, cinematpgraphy, art-direction, costume design, editing, sound dubbing & mixing, sound effects editing.
Anyone like to chime in on my flight of fancy?
One of the best films this year. Recently saw it at the Telluride Film Festival this month. Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush were magnificent! A must see.
I've heard the buzz about Firth has been building and can easily see Rush get on the shortlist if he's that good for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor resp.
As for the rest…………well, since I've not seen it, then maybe or maybe not!
It looks like Firth could get his make-up award this year unless he again loses to the sentimental favorite, which would be Duvall.
Yeah, and it will be tough for the Academy to decide. Then again, Duvall already has an Oscar.
FYI: Your "Conviction" review is gone, Brad.
Yup, it will be back tomorrow night. Was asked to wait an extra day before posting.
Forget awards for the time being, what´s the matter with you people, all you think of are statues and no liberties. Come September and you´re wasted. Sit back and enjoy.
Wow. I'm now seriously effin excited for this. Haven't paid it much attention in the previous months, guess unwisely so.
I can NOT wait to see this movie!
I'm SO glad to hear this. I REALLY want to go see this film come November 24th.
Amazing movie! Saw it at the Telluride Film Fest and am counting down the days until I can see it countless times in the theater. Firth,Rush,and Carter should be nominated for Oscars (Firth and Rush winning. And of course it IS the movie of the year!
Very moving film. Excellent acting, cinematography, directing, writing. Finally Firth getting parts up to his quality. [did you know Moses was also a stammerer? Said, "God…pick someone else…pick my brother Aaron instead." God had other plans, obviously. He also led his people thru wars and more.
The King's Speech is a newly released film starring, Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter. It tells the true story of George VI (the Current Queen Elizabeth's father) who after his brother abdicated the throne (just as England was about to enter into World War II) became King. The story centers, however, not on the politics of the monarchy but on the personal struggle of King George to overcome his life long affliction – he was a severe stutterer. We come to see this heir to the throne, his royal highness, this very afraid man, as one of us – that his (and our) cure is not in the illusion of regal bearing but in the nobility of facing our ordinary fear(s). That healing comes from the hope, strength and experience that others who have battled their own demons can give us. That his (and our) true voice, the unhesitant, angry and profane scream of who we really are (not what we are expected to be) is our truly regal voice, a voice that cannot be found from on high. Everyman would be King but for his afflictions.
I profoundly LOVED the film – in all ways. And, I feel the film is profound. It is a deep treasure to witness these two actors in these intimate and so human roles. In all their pomp and quotidian royal circumstances, the real-life characters shine with both humility and heroism, frailty and exquisitely mounting, exponetialized audacity. When the movie ended, I didn't want it to end. I wanted to have the privilege of enjoying the profoundly (yes, again) gratifying relationship of the two. To paraphrase a meaningful quote I found recently: "Suffering in relationships is to be expected, you just have to find the ones worth suffering for." This movie is worth seeing, disregard the history if you like, and just enjoy the relationship of the characters. Or, be enthroned by the sheer history of this film and the variegated attempts, failures and victories at mastery of the human condition by royals and commoners alike. Enjoy! ~ Sarah West