The King's Speech was a welcome Sunday Evening film choice. A clever British period piece, this story of the "bromance" between the psychologically damaged Prince Albert/ King George VI (
Colin Firth) and his speech therapist Lional Logue (
Geoffrey Rush) truly catches the imagination from the get-go and gives the audience a satisfying, old fashioned and hugely enjoyable story of friendship, amid yesterday's Royal Family.
Firth and Rush make for two cracking leads who leap into their roles with some power and gusto. The Prince (Bertie), angry and unhappy in his public role because of a dreadful stammer is desperate for what indeed turned out to be psychotherapy by the bitingly funny,instinctive and self proclaimed speech specialist Logue. However Royal protocol, snobbery and fear hamper the one to one interaction between the two men until the sudden abdication of Edward VIII forces Bertie to face his demons.
It is a story that is refreshingly new to most people and remains satisfying because we recognise the "smaller" characters within the story!
Helena Bonham Carter ( not an actress I like) is just perfect in the role of Elizabeth, the Queen Mother as she gives one of the most loved true life characters, a steely strength, an innate snobbery (which cleverly she never apologises for) and an ironic dry as toast sense of humour. You are instantly forced to like the character of the Queen Mum, It is a nice move as the strength of the movie lies with how she and indeed the King drop their guard to embrace the warmth, and friendship of straight talking commoner Louge.
Having paying homage to Bonham Carter ( Oh and the wonderful cameo by Michael Gambon as the gruff then senile King George V) this movie IS Rush and Firth's baby.
The scene where Bertie finally opens up his heart to Louge about his unhappy childhood is immensely powerful and dreadfully moving to watch and by the time the two men work together to face the wartime Kings Speech, there was not a dry eye in the house.....
An excellent 9/10
Go see it.
One we have been looking forward to see, John. Thanks for the nudge.
ReplyDeleteJim
I am so glad you enjoyed it. I want to see this movie. I have a soft spot for Colin Firth - you once reminded me of his dreadful "Mama Mia" - hope this makes up for that awful movie in your eyes!
ReplyDeleteI must say, I'm a sucker for anything featuring Colin Firth, but now I can use this as an excuse...thank you. : )
ReplyDelete~Andrea~
I saw it earlier this week, and you are absolutely spot on. I don't know when I have enjoyed a movie more. It draws you in, and keeps you involved. And, you're right, lots of sniffles in the theater at the end.
ReplyDeleteIt reminded me so much of the way movies used to be. Of course, I'm a big fan of the classic '30's and '40's films.
Oh, my. I have heard about this one and wanted to see it, after your accolades, I want to even more!
ReplyDeleteCat
Sounds like a good one, John! Maybe I will get to see it when it comes on my dish and the weather is good!
ReplyDeleteExcelent choice from what I can tell. I'm waiting for Netflix to get it.
ReplyDeleteMichael Gambon has the most beautiful hands on a man I have ever seen!
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to seeing this movie.
An exciting review - I am anxiously waiting to see this movie! I really enjoy Firth and Rush as actors - they are so, so, so, ......... "capable"!
ReplyDeleteI believe I will take your recommendation & see it! I enjoy Colin Firth in any movie - one of my favorites is Love Actually xo
ReplyDeleteHello John!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a movie I'd like to see. I already like Colin Firth and like Ina.. Love Actually is one of my favorites. Just thought you'd like to know we're finally getting some snow! Should be fun going out to feed the chickens in the morning. I hope your day is a good one.
Maura :)
Thanks for the review John...I am madly in love with Colin Firth...and can't wait to see this movie...it's going to be a matinee this week.
ReplyDeleteWell shoot. I was going to catch the matinee today with my daughter but caught a nasty cold and, while I was fully prepared to go anyway and just suck down a bag of lozenges and cough discreetly into my sleeve, in the end I took pity on the other theater goers and stayed home instead. Your thumbs-up kind of makes me regret that choice. :-) Next weekend then!
ReplyDeleteThank you John. I shall go and see this film on your recommendation. However, the erudite nature of your review suggests that you may have copied and pasted it... from "The Guardian"? "The Daily Telegraph"? "The Rhyl Bugle"?
ReplyDeleteWe saw this the other week (just before New Year) and agree with you John - it was a good film. Had an almost oldfashioned feel to it. Brought out lots of different emotions and we left the cinema feeling it was all worthwhile. Haven't done that for a while!
ReplyDeletepud
ReplyDeletehow very dare you!
its all my own work
( well I nicked the "bromance" word from EMPIRE!
Thanks for the review, I`ll keep my eyes open for it!
ReplyDeleteIts on my list. xxx
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear this is a good film, as I rather fancied going to see it, and it's not often i get to the cinema these days! Sympathise with you John for the "home alone" incident with the dogs, when we go away I spend the preceeding fortnight preparing for pet/garden/livestock care, the actual holiday worrying about them, and the week after sorting everything out that went wrong!
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen it but must. The Queen mother was a steely character - she was the strength behind her husband. I don't like Helena BC either but she was marvelous in Toast recently I have to admit .
ReplyDeleteThis is one we've wanted to see, as well. Sounds like a great film.
ReplyDeleteHere, here! This movie has made me want to see every Geoffrey Rush film I have missed. Brilliant. (Happy New Year!)
ReplyDeleteI just love Firth and Rush. Wonderful craftsmen. For that reason alone, I will have to see the movie. However, the reviews here in the states are not very good. Probably not enough violence and sex for these poorly educated movie-goers.
ReplyDeleteVery good review...I saw the film last night and loved it. The best film I've seen for ages - people actually clapped at the end and that doesn't happen much these days doesn it?!
ReplyDeleteHelena Bonham-Carter got the Queen Mother just right, I really like how you described her performance.
I thought Colin Firth was fantastic and Geoffrey Rush even better, brilliant performances.
I saw this two days ago and couldn't agree with you more. And as a parochial Australian I must also mention Guy Pearce as Edward :) But oh, that Colin Firth...the poms win!
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