Dry. Focused. Artful. Perfect.
| Overall Grade: | A |
| Story: | B |
| Acting: | A+ |
| Direction: | A+ |
| Visuals: | A |
Summary: Real life seems to be the rage in recent movies. The challenge becomes more arduous for major productions when the plot doesn't include any of the silver screen big five: superstars, sex/romance, CGI, suspense (or horror) and action.
The new film "The King's Speech" is a screen rendition of the book "The King's Speech: How One Man Saved the British Monarchy" co-written by the grandson of Lionel Logue, the speech therapist who helps Albert (titled as King George VI) to achieve his ability to speak publicly without stammering.
Directed by Tom Hooper, the film has low star power- Colin Firth plays as "Bertie", the common name give King George VI by his family. While Firth is recognizable to many, he is certainly not a popular draw. Geoffrey Rush likewise plays the uncompromising speech therapist, Logue. Great character acting is done by both. The cinematography has the predictably drab realism of grey, dreary England. The contrast of royal furnishings and clothing are all that holds hope for any visuals that might wake up the audience.
Content caution: for moms, dads, and such- this film has no objectionable content, violence or images. Except, that is, for two specific and demonstrative examples of extensive cursing from which its R-rating is completely based. I say this to clarify the rating. To the film's credit, it is completely in context for the script, where it is meant as a therapeutic exercise. Both times the tirade of language is contained, strong and over quickly. I wouldn't bring a child under 13 to this film, but anyone over that age would not be unfamiliar with any words spoken in this film.
Beyond that, the plot is swift and simple and unfolds in just that manner. Bertie is crowned King George VI after the death of this father, King George V, and subsequent abdication of the throne by his older brother, Edward, just a year later. In just weeks, the new king must deliver a crucial speech to address the nation and empire as the United Kingdom declares war on Hitler's Germany.
Firth becomes what he must for this film- the consummate professional. Acting along a thin line between historical fact and brilliant character development, Firth bristles with life. There is no perfection, because the character himself was rife with imperfection. But there is life, because the character becomes a very realistic, endearing and human example of determination and perseverance. Firth is balanced in two spheres by Helena Bonham Carter (as his characters' wife, Elizabeth) on the royal homefront and by the aforementioned Geoffrey Rush as his speech therapist, Lionel Logue.
With such a thin plot, there is little to rely on for sensation. The movie is based purely on character development with a touch of humor. I won't pour out more details, when they are best picked up in the viewing of it. This was the first film I have seen in quite a while that audience members clapped spontaneously at the end. It is, in a word, brilliant.
Amazon DVD Link: http://amzn.to/pUv5va
Review by Kim Gentes.