Director: Tom Hooper
Writer (Screenplay): David Seidler
Running time: 118 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 15
Genre: Drama/Comedy
UK Release date: 7th January 2011
Watched on Sky+ Friday 30th December 2011.
PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.
This is the second time I have seen this film this year; first time was in the cinema, and now it has made it to the small screen. I always like a film based on true events, it seems that real life has just as many amazing stories as pure fiction and this is a case in point. A man who stammers has to rise above his affliction, with the help and support of those around him, to speak for a nation. It’s quite a remarkable film. Here’s a short summary first before I give you my thoughts.
King George VI, known as Bertie to his friends and family, was not born to be king. That honour went to his older brother David, or King Edward VIII, after their father George V passed away. Unfortunately, David finds he cannot carry out his duties due to events in his private life (quite a scandal actually) and so Bertie has to step in. A long time before this he had started seeing an unorthodox speech therapist named Lionel Logue. He had always stammered and found it particularly hard to speak in public. With the help and support of Logue, his wife, Elizabeth and his daughters another Elizabeth (later to become Queen Elizabeth II) and Margaret; this film depicts how he overcame his problems to give a very important speech live on the radio to the entire British Empire (as it was then) just after the outbreak of World War II. It also gives an insight into the reasons for Edward’s abdication and the effect it has on the nation. But I think that’s enough summary for now or the Spoiler Police (Royal Division) will have me banged up in the tower (again).
I found this a totally engaging film from start to finish. As a Brit, I was taught about the abdication of Edward VII in school, but I never knew about George VI’s stammer or the work of Lionel Logue. Of course, the film is most noted for the performance of Colin Firth as King George VI, which is totally justified, he is outstanding! Also worthy of note are both Geoffrey Rush as Lionel Logue and Helena Bonham Carter as Queen Elizabeth (great casting IMO). Honourable mentions go to Derek Jacobi as Archbishop Cosmo Lang, Michael Gambon as King George V, Guy Pearce as King Edward VIII, Claire Bloom as Queen Mary and Timothy Spall as Winston Churchill.
Apart from the performances, I thought it was an excellent screenplay by David Seidler (a Brit who grew up in the US). Nicely directed by Tom Hooper, it depicts the period perfectly. This is a film with many laughs, more than a lot of modern ‘comedies’, IMO, which serve to lift the mood of what is, after all, rather serious events in world history. I also liked the music by Alexandre Desplat, very pleasing to the ear and matched the atmosphere perfectly. Over all, brilliant performances, a great story and a few laughs along the way… who could ask for more? Very highly recommended.
My score: 9.1/10
IMDb Score: 8.3/10 (based on 138,514 votes at the time of going to press).
http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt1504320/
Rotten Tomatoes ‘Tomatometer’ Score: 95/100 (based on 215 reviews counted at the time of going to press).
Rotten Tomatoes ‘Audience’ Score: 93/100 (based on 113,112 user ratings counted at the time of going to press).
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_kings_speech/
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FAVOURITE QUOTES:
Queen Elizabeth: [Using the name "Mrs. Johnson"] My husband's work involves a great deal of public speaking.
Lionel Logue: Then he should change jobs.
Queen Elizabeth: He can't.
Lionel Logue: What is he, an indentured servant?
Queen Elizabeth: Something like that.
Lionel Logue: Do you know any jokes?
King George VI: ...Timing isn't my strong suit.
[watching a clip of Hitler speaking]
Lilibet: What's he saying?
King George VI: I don't know but... he seems to be saying it rather well.
King George VI: [as he prepares to broadcast his wartime speech] However this turns out; I don't know how to thank you.
Lionel Logue: [after a pause] Knighthood?
LINKS:
Official Site: http://www.kingsspeech.com/
Trailer:
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