BlackSheep
"Perfectly Put"
New Releases, Oscar-Winners and Obscure Movies!
Join | Log In
Everyone Has The Right To Be Heard!
-
Jan 3, 2011
- by woopak_the_thrill
- posted in Movie Hype
Rating:
Stories about friendship and courage. They are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser whose stories have been told in various different ways. It is just something that people need to be told from time to time that I doubt anyone would grow tired of it. Well, director Tom Hooper’s “The King’s Speech” won the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival People’s choice award and it tells about the true story of a King George VI who overcame something very significant in the face of a chaotic world event. The film also tells the story of a friendship that surpasses a huge royal divide; as a King and his subject find something special that defined the word ‘courage’.
+5
Faced with a that requires him to interact with a country, the future king of England, George VI (Colin Firth), called by his family “Bertie”, had always suffered a speech impediment that made his public life quite embarrassing for him and his family. This severe stutter had always made him feel rather insecure, unconfident and not even the treatments that he had gone through was able to help him. With his wife, Elizabeth (played by Helena Bonham Carter) by his side, Bertie decides to take a leap of faith as he agrees to be treated by an aspiring actor and professional speech therapist named Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush). Lionel finds a man filled with bitterness and astonishing nervousness, as Bertie is expected to perform duties that his handicap may hamper him. The two take on a path to healing, a building of confidence as the two begin to forge a unique friendship. Now fate plays its hand, and when Bertie’s womanizing brother, Edward (Guy Pearce) is made king, Bertie is forced to take a more active role in politics and overcome his timid nature.
Director Tom Hooper with writer David Seidler takes a piece of little known history as they go forth and makes a portrait of George VI that combines his public image, his political demands and his intense private shame. The story is given a lot of room to maneuver as we get a chance to take a look at the events that led to him becoming king, as well his own personal history. Bertie had lost his sense of self as a bullied young prince somewhere in this journey; he has always suffered this severe stutter that emasculate his sense of authority and his time in the media spotlight. What becomes is a struggle within Bertie as fate had played him a hand that forces him to take a more active role in more than England’s political dealings.
The script does make Bertie the central focus as he goes about his efforts to overcome his handicap and face his own fears of public speaking. What happens is a compelling piece of personal reflection and a definition of the word ‘courage’. Courage is more than facing up to what you believe, or facing foes in a war. Courage means that it becoming true to oneself and overcoming one’s handicap; the word allows one to perform one’s responsibility and be the needed light that gives others this virtue. After all, I am a firm believer that there is nothing to fear but fear itself. One may think that having a stammer is no big issue; well, try this one--you are a part of the royal family and your countrymen rely on your image to uplift them. There is also a subtle commentary about Hitler’s misleading speeches that it seems like no matter how insane a message may be, a powerful voice and communication skill can uplift the masses.
Besides, Bertie’s struggles, the film takes aim at the friendship between the prince and a man who helps him overcome his speech issues. Lionel is great believer in the power of speech and he gives Bertie a caring control. He gives the prince ‘tough love’ as he calls him by his nickname Bertie (not your majesty), seeing as the only way Bertie may respond to his daily diaphragm exercises is by making themselves equal. Lionel is out not just to help Bertie with his speech but he is also out to build his confidence, he demands that they do the exercises daily, and that Bertie should be committed to his therapy. He inspires his patient to verbalize his frustrations. The script is filled with strong dialogue that is quick, funny and clever; as the writing makes the scenes of Lionel and Bertie appear engaging as they try to overcome their own discomforts and form a sense of conviction.
It is to be noted that the performers were quite excellent in their portrayals. The two managed to form a believable chemistry that proved to be the film’s main draw. Colin Firth would rightly deserve an Oscar nomination; he exudes that feeling of royalty though all buried under a sea of vulnerability and lack of confidence. His delivery on the dialogue is just divine; I felt really invested in his character. Geoffrey Rush embodies most of the film’s comedic banter that provokes some needed humor in Firth’s character. Rush was fantastic as the simple man faced with a huge responsibility in helping a king. Helena Bonham Carter was excellent as Elizabeth; she exudes that sense of authority and elegance, but at the same time, maintaining a sense of humility.
The direction by Hooper does some intriguing use of odd camerawork to express a sense of being alone and afraid; he sets his camera as if Bertie was dwelling in the sidelines, with the background taking most of the camera shot during some close ups. I thought it was a symbolic representation of Bertie’s sense of unease, and that all people are watching him. The exchanges between then King George V and Bertie were a little too quick and lacks some impact on its narrative. It did what it was supposed to do, as it proved to inject some needed groundwork for Bertie’s insecurities and his coming position of power. The film’s last act portray a tumultuous time in history (the second world war) as King George VI is faced by his greatest fear; speaking to his subjects live with the use of a radio microphone.
“The King’s Speech” does miss some opportunities as I was more hopeful that it could have dealt with things on a global scale during a period in World War II. But I guess the film was more aimed at the interplay between two individuals; one who is royalty by birth and one who has learned from his experiences. It is about friendship, courage, and honor, as two men learn from each other. After all, everyone has a right to be heard.
Highly Recommended! [4 ½ Out of 5 Stars]
What did you think of this review?
Helpful
24
Thought-Provoking
27
Fun to Read
30
Well-Organized
27
More The King's Speech reviews
The King's Speech is easily one of the best movies I have seen this year. It is the true story of how Duke of York overcomes his stammering problem with the help of a speech therapist named Lionel Logue. Colin Firth portrays Bertie, also known as the Duke of York. He becomes King George VI after his older brother is not fit to be the king of England. Geoffrey Rush plays Logue. Both men give Oscar worthy performances. The film is set in England in the mid to late 1930s. These are years leading … more
Comments (5)
Compliments (71)
I was not familar with the story of George VI until I saw this amazing film. Apparently George had a terrible stuttering problem until one day his wife took him to the home of a commoner in the basement floors of a building. At first George is reluctant to give the man a chance. His father and just about everyone else had sent him to "experts' with no success. One such "expert" wanted him to smoke to "sooth the lungs" and talk with marbles in his mouth. None of these things worked. George … more
Comments (3)
Compliments (48)
There is a pivotal moment in the King's Speech that just speaks volumes about what the movie is about and what it means. It's a scene where Bertie (also known as a King George VI)I--a man with a stammering problem--is standing there with Lionel, his speech therapist, and Lionel puts a headset on him and plays music and instructs Bertie to read a passage out of Hamlet. While the music is playing you can't hear him, he can't even hear himself. Lionel records it for … more
Comments (2)
Compliments (45)
It was a little slow at the beginning but the movie picks up lots of momentum towards the end. The true story of a royalty's speech impediment. Had he been just another prince, then it's no big deal. But the moment that his brother abdicated the throne and he was made king, it's a major problem! What made this movie success is not so much the story nor is it the overcoming of a handicap. True, they are part of what make a story. However, I believe it is the acting … more
Comments (3)
Compliments (39)
Don't miss this movie just because its not gotten a wide release. Here in Raleigh, NC, it isn't playing at any of the multi-screen multiplexes, which actually gives you a great excuse to see a movie in an old-fashioned single-screen movie house like the Rialto in Raleigh (an excellent movie-going experience in itself). And what a movie this is. It is certain to get nominations for best movie, actor, and supporting actor. While I think the movie … more
Comment
Compliments (34)
The British monarchy tale "The King's Speech" led Golden Globe contenders Tuesday with seven nominations, including best drama and acting honours for Colin Firth, Helena Bonham Carter and Geoffrey Rush.Other best-drama nominees were the psychosexual dance thriller "Black Swan," the boxing saga "The Fighter," the sci-fi blockbuster "Inception" and the Facebook chronicle "The Social Network." Nominees in the Globes' other best-picture category, … more
Comments (2)
Compliments (36)
**** out of **** There are few stories without an enemy; and few films without a flaw. Yes, history has proved me somewhat wrong and there are indeed MANY great, flawless films, but seldom do they come along each weekend. So when they do come along, there is reason to celebrate. "The King's Speech" is an absolutely fantastic portrait of the Duke of York, who was King George V's son. If there is a villain in this very story, it is the flaws of the Duke/Albert. He is to become … more
Comments (2)
Compliments (12)
Speech impediments are a horrible thing to deal with, I’d imagine. And I’d imagine they are far, far worse if you’re the titular leader of 1/4 of the world. That’s the situation faced by King George VI in The King’s Speech. George VI (Colin Firth), called “Bertie” through most of the film, was never meant to be king. His brother, David, was the one who was meant to be king, but no one, including his father, seemed to feel he was up to the … more
Comments (3)
Compliments (69)
“The King’s Speech” is the one of the few films I know of to humanize the embarrassment of stuttering. It tells the story of Prince Albert, Duke of York, who, following the death of his father and the resignation of his older brother, became King George VI and had the unenviable task of leading England and its many colonies into World War II; although he had a voice and had plenty to say, his debilitating stammer made it virtually impossible to actually say it. Imagine what that … more
Comments (6)
Compliments (60)
Well if this isn't Oscar bait I don't know what is. A movie about the British monarchs that comes out in December. The only thing that is holding it back from pure gold is that it is actually doing well in the box office, people are going to see it. It seems that come award season a couple movies always make it across the pond and infiltrate the system. This movie follows the same formula as the ones before it. It humanizes the monarch while still telling a story … more
Comments (2)
Compliments (45)
About the reviewer
William (woopak_the_thrill)
Ranked #1
Ranked #1
Please "Like" Film and Movies and Keep the Economy strong....LOL!! My Interests: Movies, Anime, History, Martial … more
Consider the Source
Use Trust Points to see how much you can rely on this review.
You
woopak_the_thrill
Your ratings:
Recent reviews by woopak_the_thrill
About this movie
The King's Speech is a British historical drama film directed by Tom Hooper from a script by David Seidler. The movie won the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival People's Choice Award.
view wiki
The film stars Colin Firth as King George VI and Geoffrey Rush as speech therapist Lionel Logue, who helped George VI overcome a stammer. Filming commenced in the United Kingdom in November 2009. The film is set for a limited release in the United States on 26 November 2010
The British monarchy tale "The King's Speech" led Golden Globe contenders Tuesday with seven nominations, including best drama and acting honours for Colin Firth, Helena Bonham Carter and Geoffrey Rush.Other best-drama nominees were the psychosexual dance thriller "Black Swan," the boxing saga "The Fighter," the sci-fi blockbuster "Inception" and the Facebook chronicle "The Social Network."
Nominees in the Globes' other best-picture category, for musical or comedy, are the Lewis Carroll fantasy "Alice in Wonderland," the song-and-dance extravaganza "Burlesque," the lesbian-family tale "The Kids Are All Right," the action tale "Red" and the romantic thriller "The Tourist."
"The Social Network" and "The Fighter" tied for second with six nominations each. Among nominations for ...
Cast:
Helena Bonham Carter,
Colin Firth,
Geoffrey Rush,
Derek Jacobi,
Michael Gambon,
Guy Pearce,
Timothy Spall,
Adrian Scarborough,
Roger Hammond,
Robert Portal,
Richard Dixon,
Paul Trussell,
Andrew Havill,
Charles Armstrong
Director:
Tom Hooper
Genre:
Drama,
History
Release Date:
24 December 2010 (USA)
MPAA Rating:
R
Screen Writer:
David Seidler
DVD Release Date:
April 19, 2011
Runtime:
118 min
Studio:
The Weinstein Company/Anchor Bay Entertainment
Lists with this movie
First to Review
- About Lunch
- Press
- FAQs
- Contact Us
- Terms of Service
- Privacy Policy
- Sitemap
- Report Abuse
© 2013 Lunch.com, LLC All Rights Reserved
Lunch.com - Relevant reviews by real people.
We both know I'll wait until this comes to DVD to see it and when I do see it, it's for one reason...
Helena Bonham Carter