Review: The King's Speech

Film Reviews Mon, 31 Jan 2011 Written by Mike S
Editor rating
 
 5.0 User rating
 
 0.0 (0)
Colin Firth & Geoffry Rush in The King's Speech

Prince Albert the Duke of York has a headache inducing dilemma. Son of the ailing King George V; younger brother of heir apparent Prince Edward (who, against the Church of England’s wishes, is determined to marry an American divorcee) plus World War 2 is looming on the horizon. Oh, and a debilitating and embarrassing speech stammer to worry about. Read our review of The King's Speech.

This is a crucial point in time where The United Kingdom and Europe for that matter, is in desperate need of a bold charismatic spokesperson. With the pressure of possibly being a very 'Reluctant King', the Duke seeks help from speech defect therapist Lionel Logue; an Australian emigrant with an often madcap approach to coaching - or more precisely, coaxing the speech impediment out of the Dukes mind, and preferably out of his mouth.

Cinema-goers could be forgiven for thinking a two hour British period drama about a Royal with an oral hindrance could be a bit of a snore-fest; which makes this utterly absorbing drama all the more smart.

During their first meeting, Logues asks with a thick Aussie twang; “do you know any jokes Berty”? “Comedic timing isn’t my strong point”! The Duke drolly replies, “I may be eloquent of mind – but unfortunately disastrous on vocal delivery”!

Further coaching techniques includes singing sentences aloud, viewing film reels of Hitler’s most fervent speeches, and obnoxiously noisy “expletive training” – we will leave the actually dialogue to your imagination, but the scene will invoke a raucous giggle-fest.

It’s this type of eccentric but ultimately fun encouragement that brings the soon to be King out of his shadow and on his way to becoming a relatively proficient public speaker. During the 1930’s and 40’s, Lionel Logues continued to voice coach King George VI (Prince Albert) and the pair remained close until the Kings untimely death from lung cancer in 1952; sadly ending a remarkable friendship.

Great art has a way of burying itself under your skin, The Kings Speech is such art; from the cinematography, screenplay, the music, exceptional film editing and other facets of the overall production.

It is little wonder the film has received 12 Oscar nominations, but its Tom Hooper’s masterly direction that seems to allow his two lead actors to simple “play” their characters in the most intimate, unedited and convincing manner that artistically shines.

Mr. Firth and Mr. Rush take a bow - the applause is warranted.

STARRING

Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham-Carter, Guy Pearce

DIRECTED BY

Tom Hooper (The Damned United)

CHECK TO SEE IF IT'S PLAYING NEAR YOU

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Lebanon - Empire; Grand
Jordan - Grand Cinemas
UAE - Grand Cinemas; Cinestar

 

Qatar - Qatar Cinema Company
Kuwait - Cinescape 
Egypt - Renaissance Cinemas
Oman - City Cinema

WATCH THE TRAILER HERE


Editor review

A 5-star effort

Rating:
 
 5.0
Reviewed by triplew.me
January 31, 2011
 
Last updated: January 31, 2011
It's hard to make a period drama interesting, in our opinion, there's a special mix needed to pull it off. A great story, strong cast and an engaging method of storytelling. This film, set against a backdrop of recent-ish history, has all in spades. Wonderfully told, scripted and most of all acted, this is a film that will no doubt get awards nods, but will also age well. Save it for DVD if you can't catch it at the cinema.
 
 

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