The King's Speech
Director: Tom Hooper
Actors: Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter, Guy Pearce
What is The King's Speech you may ask? Let me explain. It is the true story of King George VI (Colin Firth) and his time of overcoming his stutter. He is aided in doing this by Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush), a speech therapist whose methods of training are a bit unorthodox. You probably did not know this because it happened at the beginning of World War II. So the story is as I mentioned above but here is a more in depth look from the start. Prince Albert, Duke of York, is the second son to King George V (Michael Gambon) and brother to the heir to the throne Edward (Guy Pearce), Prince of Wales. The film opens with Albert giving a speech at the end of the 1925 British Empire Exhibition. This is where we first see that he struggles greatly with a stutter. He has been trying to find treatment for his stutter but has failed. His wife Elizabeth (Helena Bonham Carter) finds Lionel Logue who she thinks might be able to help her husband despite his methods. When Albert and Lionel first meet, they realize they are very different in ways of speaking and how they approach each other. Lionel asks if he can call the Duke Albert instead of following custom. Albert is taken aback by this. Lionel says that he should try to read "To be, or not to be" while listening to music. Albert thinks that it doesn't work but Lionel gives him a recording of the speech. When Albert listens to it, he is astonished to find that he speaks fluently. Albert decides to return.
Since I don't want to ruin the movie, the rest of the film deals with Lionel teaching Albert how to speak fluently, Albert's brother resigning from the throne because he wants to marry a divorced woman (a custom not allowed for the King), and Albert having to make a speech at the beginning of World War II.
All in all, this film is pretty amazing. It is a story that has almost been lost from history since official biographies never tell much about Lionel Logue or Albert's stutter. It was written by David Seidler, known for the animated films The King and I and Quest for Camelot. Seidler did a lot of research into the history of Albert and Lionel and, while writing the film, found out that his uncle, a stutterer, had been sent to Lionel himself. The film is genius, though, because it has so many elements to it. It has drama, laughs, and heart all rolled into a whole. There is an entire scene of Lionel and Albert together where Lionel tells Albert to curse. Albert, at first unsure, begins to curse. Amazingly, he does not stutter at all. He continues to say shit. He then says fuck over and over. This scene is very fun but also important because it shows that Albert and Lionel are indeed friends and Albert feels okay around Lionel as he could never say this anywhere else. This scene, while funny, is the only reason the film is rated R.
I truly love this film and I think it deserves all the recognition is gets. While I have seen many films this year that might win best actor or picture, this film will probably win both of those awards. But, the thing is, I am okay with that. Colin Firth gives an outstanding performance as King George VI and this film is phenomenal. The King's Speech takes you through the friendship of Albert and Lionel. And it is incredible to watch. The way they play off of each other is funny to see and you really feel like this is probably how they actually acted while alive. This movie will have you exhilarated as you watch, laughing along the way.
Rating: 4
Matt
Since I don't want to ruin the movie, the rest of the film deals with Lionel teaching Albert how to speak fluently, Albert's brother resigning from the throne because he wants to marry a divorced woman (a custom not allowed for the King), and Albert having to make a speech at the beginning of World War II.
All in all, this film is pretty amazing. It is a story that has almost been lost from history since official biographies never tell much about Lionel Logue or Albert's stutter. It was written by David Seidler, known for the animated films The King and I and Quest for Camelot. Seidler did a lot of research into the history of Albert and Lionel and, while writing the film, found out that his uncle, a stutterer, had been sent to Lionel himself. The film is genius, though, because it has so many elements to it. It has drama, laughs, and heart all rolled into a whole. There is an entire scene of Lionel and Albert together where Lionel tells Albert to curse. Albert, at first unsure, begins to curse. Amazingly, he does not stutter at all. He continues to say shit. He then says fuck over and over. This scene is very fun but also important because it shows that Albert and Lionel are indeed friends and Albert feels okay around Lionel as he could never say this anywhere else. This scene, while funny, is the only reason the film is rated R.
I truly love this film and I think it deserves all the recognition is gets. While I have seen many films this year that might win best actor or picture, this film will probably win both of those awards. But, the thing is, I am okay with that. Colin Firth gives an outstanding performance as King George VI and this film is phenomenal. The King's Speech takes you through the friendship of Albert and Lionel. And it is incredible to watch. The way they play off of each other is funny to see and you really feel like this is probably how they actually acted while alive. This movie will have you exhilarated as you watch, laughing along the way.
Rating: 4
Matt
