Tom Hooper’s The King’s Speech took home the SAG award for Best Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture. Colin Firth (A Single Man) has dominated all of the major awards this season for his leading portrayal of King George VI. And now I know why. I recently had the pleasure of finally seeing what all the fuss was about. I have to say that without a doubt, the overall composition of the film and Firth’s performance both deserve every single accolade brought their way.
Firth delivers the performance of his career as England’s stammering King George VI. Not only is his portrayal a standout, but Geoffrey Rush (Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides) as quirky Australian speech therapist, Lionel Logue, is charming and flawless. Through much trial and toil, the pair establishes an unlikely friendship that intensifies when the stammering Duke of York unexpectedly usurps the throne from his brother, King Edward VIII, played by Guy Pearce (Memento). Currently the perfectly mismatched duo of his royal highness and sarcastic mentor, as well as Firth’s on-screen wife, Helena Bonham Carter (Alice in Wonderland) as Elizabeth, represent three of the twelve Academy Awards nominations for the film this year.
For those of you who don’t know, King George VI came into power when his older brother abdicated the throne upon the controversial news of his impending marriage with a twice-divorced American socialite, Wallis Simpson, played by Eve Best (Nurse Jackie). Upon King George VI’s death in 1952, his oldest daughter, Elizabeth, became queen and has been sitting in the throne ever since.
Set in the midst of Hitler’s rise to power in Germany, the tone of The King’s Speech is layered with dramatic exposition, humorous exchanges, heartfelt struggle, and ultimately a spirited triumph. Hooper’s vision as director presents a pleasant and surprising combination of awkward shots and uncomfortable close-ups in these seemingly small English buildings. He masterfully observes the contrast of the king and his family’s royal life with the everyday on goings among a common family of England. Each are riddled with complications as Edward philanders across Europe, King George V’s (Michael Gambon of the Harry Potter series) life is coming to an end, Logue fails to find success in auditioning at local playhouses, and Archbishop Cosmo Lang (played by Derek Jacobi of Gladiator) disapproves of the king’s relationship with his newest confidante.
The movie’s original screenplay is by David Seidler, whose already been honored at the British Independent Film Awards, and is also up for an Oscar. The writer has created sessions between the king and Logue which demonstrate an effortless blend of propriety and hysterical fits of enraged cursing. All of this encompasses moving, smart, and witty fun as we watch history in the making.
While Firth carries the burden of the king’s lifelong speech impediment, it’s Logue’s unconventional methods of treating his patient that thrive in the foreground of the looming political plight of England in the 1930s. Bonham Carter’s support as an optimistic wife and sudden role of queen provide balance to the king’s already stressful position. In addition, we see Timothy Spall (Sweeney Todd) as Winston Chruchill, who confesses a relatable struggle of his own to the nervous king moments before his grand finale speech.
While we all have access to the history behind King George VI, this intimate look of his personal battle at the very moment when a nation needs him most is a stunning picture of dream-like repose. The legendary radio-broadcasted speech in 1939 when World War II is declared is cinematic gold. Logue‘s eccentricity fuels the king‘s confidence, and his wife‘s loving support is responsible for building the profound friendship. Upon rallying his alliances to defeat Hitler’s unjust actions and the Nazis of Germany, King George VI becomes a hero of history and Firth is crowned a hero of film.
This year’s Oscars will be held on February 27th, so be sure to watch when Firth accepts his statue! I’m looking forward to seeing its competition with Aaron Sorkin’s The Social Network, a film carried on gumption and suspense, innovations in technology, and speaks to the current generation of Facebookers and Tweeters addicted to instant gratification. Whereas The King’s Speech, relies on pure movie magic. You’re rooting for characters really worth caring about beyond whatever celebrity they acquire, who can easily represent the closest people to you in your everyday life, who’ve stood by your side in the face of adversity during the most difficult challenges you‘ve ever had to overcome. In closing, these ingredients allow this film to stand as a perfect example of “the stuff” that the classics are made of. Take a look at the a trailer if you haven’t seen the movie yet!
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