The King's Speech
Starring: Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter, Guy Pearce, Timothy Spall, Derek Jacobi
Director: Tom Hooper
Rating: 5/5
The King’s Speech has been on of the must early see movies of 2011 as it charmed audiences and critics on the festival circuit at the end of last year to make it an early Oscar favourite.
And while everyone has been tipping the movie for a Best Picture Oscar nod it’s the central performance of Colin Firth that his red hot favourite to walk home with the prize.
After the death of his father King George V (Michael Gambon) and the scandalous abdication of King Edward VIII (Guy Pearce), Bertie (Colin Firth) who has suffered from a debilitating speech impediment all his life, is suddenly crowned King George VI of England.
With his country on the brink of war and in desperate need of a leader, his wife, Elizabeth (Helena Bonham Carter), the future Queen Mother, arranges for her husband to see an eccentric speech therapist, Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush).
After a rough start, the two delve into an unorthodox course of treatment and eventually form an unbreakable bond.
With the support of Logue, his family, his government and Winston Churchill (Timothy Spall), the King will overcome his stammer and deliver a radio-address that inspires his people and unites them in battle.
While the King’s Speech is set to a back drop of a monarch in crisis - King George V dead, King Edward VIII abdicating this is a very personal journey for the central character of Bertie as he tries to overcome the stammer that has plagued him for a lifetime.
Colin Firth is simply wonderful in the central role as he struggles to overcome the stammer and become the King that everyone expects him to be.
It’s heart-warming as well as heartbreaking as Firth delivers the performance of his career as he teams up well with Geoffrey Rush as the somewhat unorthodox speech therapist Lionel Logue.
It’s this central relationship that pushes the movie forward and makes it worth seeing as they break down barriers that separate them to become great friends.
This is a very fascinating look into an untold piece of our monarch’s history as Bertie was thrust into a role that he never wanted.
It’s a very warm movie that looks at Bertie’s family unit - he really loved his wife and daughter’s. Helena Bonham Carter is also excellent as Elizabeth as she supports her husband through his difficulties.
Director Tom Hooper has made a truly beautiful movie that as he allows the relationships and chemistry between Firth and Rush take centre stage.
The King’s Speech is a story of courage as Bertie became the voice of resistance during the war - but his personal battle to find that voice really will leave you speechless.
The King’s Speech is out now.
FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw
Tagged in Colin Firth