By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Director: Tom Hooper
Starring: Colin Firth | Derek Jacobi | Eve Best | Geoffrey Rush | Guy Pearch | Helena Bonham Carter | Jennifer Ehle | Michael Gambon | Timothy Spall
Country: australia, united_kingdom, united_states
Year: 2010
Running time: 118
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1504320/reference
Vicki says: “An impressive period drama set in England right before World War 2, THE KING’S SPEECH tells the story of George VI who becomes king after his brother, Edward VII abdicates. Berte (Colin Firth) cannot make a speech without stammering so his wife (Helen Bonham Carter) engages the services of an unconventional Australian speech therapist, Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush) to work with Berte on reclaiming his voice. Held together by magnificent performances and an eloquent script, the heart of the movie centers on the unlikely relationship that develops between teacher and student.”
Paul says: “Following up his performance in the prior year’s A SINGLE MAN, Colin Firth perfectly presents the hopes and fears of King George VI in THE KING’S SPEECH. Suffering from a severe stammer, the king (who starts the film as Prince Albert) is conflicted between a need to present a commanding public presence and his natural tendency to withdraw. Firth ably portrays the human frailty behind the royal façade, showing tenderness to his wife and children, a combination of awkwardness and bluster as he works with speech therapist Lionel (played Geoffrey Rush – if there were a ‘chemistry’ award, these two would be shoe-ins), and frustrated imperiousness as he tries and generally fails to attend to duties in the political realm. These conflicting emotions build to a head as, following his brother’s (Guy Pierce) abdication, Albert assumes the throne and must give the most important speech of his life, rallying the nation to war against Nazi Germany. In the climax of the film, the King struggles, with the help of Lionel, to make it through this speech in a small makeshift room in the palace. In this one scene, Firth masterfully traverses the feelings of nervousness, anticipation, fear, yearning, and finally triumph and vindication. To make a film about seemingly dry subject matter into a compelling human drama is testament to all involved in the film, and in particular the acting of Firth.”
Diane says: “Rush earns his nomination for the role of Australian speech therapist Lionel Logue, employed by King George VI to help the King overcome his stutter. The Australian Rush, whose character is also a failed Shakespearean actor, plays Logue as a ham and an entertainer of his indulgent sons. The actor’s long limbs, cartoonishly stretchable face, joggly jowls, and gentle eyes are used to great effect as Logue challenges the King, moving nimbly from clowning to utter seriousness. His persistent familiarity and confidence in his unorthodox methods clash with the royal family’s propriety. Ultimately, Logue achieves an intimacy with the King that serves the entire nation. Rush is why a movie about a stutter moves you to tears.
“For this period drama, production designer Eve Stewart re-creates two major sets: the imposing white and gold interiors of Buckingham Palace, and the dilapidated home of speech therapist Lionel Logue. The latter, with its warm browns in both paneling and bizarre wallpapers, seems vast with a dearth of furniture, like a stage for this man whose first love is the theater. Other London street and interior scenes are cast in icy blues, as war with Germany looms and fear rises. Stewart is also a frequent collaborator of Chlotrudis fave, director Mike Leigh. “