The King's Speech

The King’s Speech

This is the best picture of the year. The first showing was sold out at 12:10 on a Friday afternoon. The film won the People’s Choice Award at the Toronto Film Festival and no doubt will be nominated for many Oscars for 2010.

Colin Firth is outstanding in his role of King George V1. Even better is Geoffrey Rush who plays the part of the unorthodox speech teacher. I wonder if they could share the award? They both deserve it.

The cinematography is splendid. The outdoor scenes in London portray fog and are shown in muted tones. It has such a serene look. In contrast the inside shots of Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey are so splendid.

George ‘Bertie’ has no desire to ascend to the throne. His brother David is the one in line. Once David takes up with the divorced Wallis Simpson everything changes. As history records he chose his love over the throne.

Bertie was terrified and did not want the role. He stammered severely so that he couldn’t even say a complete sentence without hesitating for a long time. His wife Elizabeth is caring and loving. She tries to get help but nothing seems to work. Elizabeth is played by the very talented Helena Bonham Carter. She finds a very unorthodox speech teacher.

Lionel Logue pretends to be a speech teacher but actually has no credentials. He is an actor but did have some success treating people with a stammer.

The relationship between the king and the teacher is magnificent. They fight. They laugh. They work hard at the task. The teacher uses most unusual techniques.

At some points I was laughing during the scenes. I also cried at other parts. Always the acting was gripping and kept my attention.

It is one of those films where you know the ending. At the same time I felt myself sitting on the edge of my seat urging him on as he made his powerful speeches during the wartime crisis.

All of the cast is superb. I enjoyed watching the characters who played the roles of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Churchill and Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret Rose.

At one point Bertie asks Lionel what he would like if he can get him to stop stammering. He quickly replied in jest,” a knighthood.’ We are told at the end of the film that the two men remained loyal friends. Lionel was rewarded with a title.

This film is successful on every level. Make sure you go early or book our tickets in advance. It is going to be hard to get tickets for this most popular film.