The King's Speech
Director: Tom Hopper
Staring: Colin Firth, Helena Bonham Carter, and Geoffrey Rush.
Colin Firth leads a talented cast in this inspiring tale of overcoming barriers and speaking your mind boldly.
King George VI (Firth) has a terrible stammer, and it is affecting his public speaking – bringing shame on him and his family. When his brother abdicates from the throne, George is pushing into the public eye, and as war looms, he is required for more important speeches.
The film's primary focus is on the relationship between speech therapist Lionel Logue (Rush), a poor Australian immigrant who bridges the gap between the royalty and the common man by teaching George how to overcome his stammer. Ironically, dialogue between Rush and Firth is brilliantly timed and always amusing, like a historical ‘bromance' developing. Watching Firth swear had me in tears.
Colin Firth has come a long way from the 90s, emerging from the lake in a see-through white shirt as Mr Darcy. I'm not denying he is still a handsome man, but with roles such as ‘A Single Man' and now this, Firth is proving why he will take out the Oscar this year.
Geoffrey Rush is always a pleasure to watch, in this role as the witty and borderline eccentric Lionel. Constantly pushing George beyond his limits and taking him past the stiff-upper lip exterior that the British royalty exude so well (except maybe our modern day Princes), we watch their relationship unfold and George's personal life become exposed until he develops the one true friendship in his life.
Helena Bonham-Carter shuns her usual eccentric persona as the demure wife, Elizabeth. Constantly loving and loyal, she takes a backseat to let the men talk out their problems.
As Oscar season approaches, it is hard to ignore the hype and gossip. This film is a combined success of great direction, witty script and one of the most well known casts since The Expendables. But it is really Firth leading the pack towards the little golden statue that would be well-deserved and long overdue.
