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Candidates for president and prime minister choose to run, but kings rarely have a choice. Such was the case for Prince Albert, known by family members as Bertie (Colin Firth), whose stutter made public speaking difficult. Upon the death of his father, George V (Michael Gambon, making the most of a small part), the crown went to Bertie's brother, Edward VIII (Guy Pearce), who abdicated to marry divorcée Wallis Simpson. All the while, Bertie and his wife, Elizabeth (Helena Bonham Carter, excellent), try to find a solution to his stammer. Nothing works until they meet Australian émigré Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush), a failed actor operating out of a threadbare office. He believes Bertie's problem stems from emotional rather than physiological issues, leading to a clash of wills that allows the Oscar®-winning Rush (Shine) and the Oscar-nominated Firth (A Single Man) to do some of their best work (in a neat bit of casting, Firth's Pride and Prejudice costar, Jennifer Ehle, plays Logue's wife). All their efforts, from the tense to the comic--Bertie doesn't stutter when he swears--lead to the speech King George VI must make to the British public on the eve of World War II. At a time when his country needs him the most, he can't afford to fail. As Stephen Frears did in The Queen, Tom Hooper (HBO's Elizabeth I) lends vulnerability to a royal figure, showing how isolating that life can be--and how much difference a no-nonsense friend like Logue can make. --Kathleen C. Fennessy
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Most helpful customer reviews
29 of 30 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant production,
By
This review is from: The King's Speech (DVD)
After seeing The Kings Speech in the theatre, I cannot wait to own it.A remarkable piece of work...from script, to director, to photography and music, this film is not to be missed. One doesn't have to be a Royalist, nor indeed, a history buff, to appreciate the production. Headed by the inimitable Colin Firth, as King George VI, (Bertie)...one is drawn into the deep frustration of a solidly good man, adored by his wife and daughters, who suffers from a debilitating speech impediment, which worsens as he finds himself faced with the unexpected weight of becoming King, thrust onto his shoulders. As an actor, Colin Firth keeps getting better and better, from Mr. Darcy in 1999's Pride and Prejudice, to varying roles across the years, to last year's heart wrenching, Oscar nominated role, as The Single Man. Again,the tight facial close-ups, convey a myriad of palpable emotions, which the director can rely on from Firth, who delivers in spades. With a fine, talented supporting cast...The brilliant, Geoffrey Rush as King George's dependable, speech therapist, who becomes his friend...The always amazing Helena Bonham Carter, as Bertie's loving and supportive wife and Queen...Guy Pearce, excellent as the self-absorbed, spoiled Edward, who changes history by tossing over the throne for "the woman I love" and the always solid Derek Jacobi, as the Archbishop. This is a beautifully crafted film, from the first scene to the closing credits.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A sea of troubles,
By E. A Solinas "ea_solinas" (MD USA) - See all my reviews (HALL OF FAME) (TOP 10 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)
This review is from: The King's Speech (DVD)
Stammering is a pretty common speech defect, and for most people it doesn't have earthshattering consequences. But for one man, it might have. "The King's Speech" chronicles the true-life story of King George VI's struggle to gain the confidence to lead his nation -- a powerful, tensely-written movie, with some truly brilliant performances.For many years, Prince Albert (Colin Firth) dreaded any kind of public speaking because of his crippling stammer. So his wife Elizabeth (Helena Bonham-Carter) drags him to a speech therapist named Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush), who gives him vocal and physical exercises. Logue also learns more about "Bertie's" psyche -- his sensitivity, his low self-esteem, and his fears that he will let down his country. And Bertie has never needed help so badly -- his father is dying, his older brother David is too obsessed with his married lover to care about "kinging," and World War II is fast approaching. And when the throne is handed to Bertie, Logue must help him get through his coronation, and a vital speech announcing the beginning of the war. "The King's Speech" takes place on two very different levels. On one hand, it's about an underappreciated prince's rise to become king just before World War II, and the events that led to it. On the other, it's about one man slowly learning to overcome his fear with the help of a friend. Director Tom Hooper really knows to create powerful drama even from seemingly small things, and to evoke strong emotions from the simplest scenes. There are some lighter moments (the hysterical scene where Bertie runs around shouting four-letter words) and some glimpses of Bertie and Lionel's lives with their families. But the strength of this movie lies in the gut-wrenching scenes where Bertie's therapy is put to the test. We see him struggling to speak to his own brother, and it's genuinely saddening when he crumbles into tongue-tied misery... just as it's uplifting when he manages to speak clearly and with earnestness. And since the movie is all about the king, a brilliant lead actor is absolutely essential. Firth is absolutely perfect -- nervous, fearful, stiff, quick-tempered, and always choking on his own words. And you can see how desperate he is to help his nation. And he has a sort of prickly chemistry with Rush, whose energetic, earnest therapist helps Bertie break out of his shell. Bonham-Carter gives a lovely smaller performance as the future Queen Mum, a lady with a steel spine who seems to be propping up her husband until he can stand on his own. And there are great smaller performances by Derek Jacobi, Michael Gambon, Jennifer Ehle, and Guy Pearce (as spoiled man-child David). "The King's Speech" is all about one man helping another overcome his fear, and the world-changing consequences. It's powerful, vivid and beautiful.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Worth seeing despite the language,
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This review is from: The King's Speech [Blu-ray] (Blu-ray)
Shame about all the bad language, but it was important to the plot. This is a key piece of history of which we should all be aware. It is presented in a factual, sensitive and moving manner. Before seeing this I had no appreciation of the true nature of George VI's speech impediment, nor did I realise the obstacles he faced in overcoming it, nor did I appreciate the enormous historical impact of the man who helped him win through in the end. I am truly glad to have seen it.
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