The King's Speech

 THE KING'S SPEECH (2010)

directed by Tom Hooper

[filmography: John Adams (TV miniseries 2008), Elizabeth I (TV miniseries 2005)]

written by David Seidler

[filmography: nothing notable that I know of]

starring Colin Firth, Helena Bonham Carter, Guy Pearce, and Geoffrey Rush

   

ENJOYMENT: **** (out of 5)

"Really liked it" 

    So this may be the best film of the year, depending on who you talk to.  In fact, it would not surprise me much if The King's Speech took home the Oscar and/or the Golden Globe for Best Picture, and I would not be surprised if a few of the main actors and filmmakers took home statues also.  This film was nearly perfect; beautiful and inspiring, with brilliant acting, extremely memorable characters, and great writing.  The film was not made to relish the royal family's glory, or to defame its majesty.  No, The King's Speech was made to merely illustrate the story of a man who worked through a debilitating handicap with perseverance and support from those who believed in him.  This film was more of a kind of Billy Elliot story than biopic like W., and a great story at that.  The King's Speech isn't my personal favorite this year, and may only barely make my top five, but I do respect it as "one of those movies" that is great on many different levels. 

   
    One of the things about the King's Speech that makes it great, first and foremost, is the lead trio, Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter.  Colin Firth, from A Single Man, is one of my most beloved actors right now, and I will follow him for at least a couple years to see more of what he's capable of.  Now I know better than ever that he plays a powerful leading role extremely well, passing for a king without a second thought.  Geoffrey Rush is also perfect in his role as the king's eccentric speech therapist, humble yet extremely bold.  Rush's jubilant character adds a certain lightheartedness to the dark subject matter of a king who has a speech handicap at a time of uncertainty for his nation, as well to the somewhat somber King George VI.  The audience and I laughed many times during this film, especially during times when the seemingly-incompatible lead characters exchanged their argumentative dialogues. Though through their friendship that builds throughout this film, along with the support of their wives (Helena Bonham Carter and Jennifer Ehle), emerges an inspiring film of perseverance and faith.


AWARD PREDICTIONS: The King's Speech will definitely get a Best Picture nomination at the Academy Awards, nominations for Best Actor Colin Firth, Best Supporting Actor Geoffrey Rush, and Best Supporting Actress Helena Bonham Carter. Tom Hooper will get a Best Director Nomination, and David Seidler will get a Best Original Screenplay Nomination.