Film Review: The King's Speech

As a radio DJ and public speaker, I’ve certainly had my fair share of slip ups when it comes to speaking. Generally, I’ll make fun of myself and move on. I can’t imagine what it would be like to ALWAYS have a problem saying what I want to say the way I want to say it.

In The King’s Speech, Colin Firth gives a stand-out performance as King George VI, who, as a reluctant king after his brother, Edward VIII, abdicates, attempts to overcome his stammer in the time leading up to World War II. With the support of his wife - the Future “Queen Mum (Helena Bonham Carter) - and his Australian speech therapist, Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush), with whom become friends, The King is called on to bring hope and inspiration to his people in a time of war.

Sure, it has “Oscar bait” written all over it - a historical period piece about the Royal family with a solid cast, and critical praise from nearly everyone - so it may be easy to just join the masses and continue to heap on the accolades, but this movie really is that good. On the surface, it’s a story of human determination and triumph in the face of adversity, but deeper than that it’s about a friendship and how that can inspire as much as any technical method.

When Lionel Logue meets the future Queen Mum, he isn’t aware of who she is – she sets up the appointment as Mrs. Johnson. Therefore, he shows no favoritism toward her husband. Of course once he learns of the true identity of his client, he’s nervous, but still sets about to help the king in his own, unorthodox way. He’s able to get the King to open up to him on a personal level, and the disconnect between a public figure and his "people" is broken down. The two have respect for each other and that friendship provides the comfort and inspiration the King needs to overcome his debilitation.

The script, which was adapted form King George VI’s own personal journals, is fantastic; the dialogue is sharp and interesting. The film is directed and shot in a way that gave me a glimpse into a man I knew nothing about – other than he was the King…and that he apparently had a stutter – and took me to pre-war England.

Geoffery Rush is great as Logue and is the only real competition Christian Bale is up against when the Oscars are handed out on Feb. 27^th. Helena Bonham Carter plays the supportive wife well, but it’s Colin Firth who truly shines. He makes the King a man: a friend, a husband and father, who just happens to be King. The stammers sound natural and the embarrassment he conveys upon issuing them is heartfelt and real. For two hours, Colin Firth was King George VI and for that, he does deserve the Oscar.

There’s not a ton of excitement - no explosions or car chases, etc – but there’s heart, humour and history. And it’s all very interesting. The King’s Speech is superb, go see it.

5 Dented Bumpers*





Crash's Film Rating Legend:

5 DB’s -- Freaking Fantastic! (a rating that’s not easily attained.)
4–4.5 DB’s -- Great: It’s worth seeing again/owning.
3–3.5 DB’s -- Decent – Good (I’d watch it again on cable)
2–2.5 DB’s -- Meh; (possibly had potential, but I won’t watch it again)
1DB -- Awful; I want my money back.

Anything less is not even worth downloading illegally

-Crash-