Review for The King's Speech

Finally there is a great British contender to stand up to the plate of the American oppressive market which is modern cinema. Every so often you have the odd British movie which pops up but is soon over taken by the next big explosion movie. Last year it was films like Made In Dagenham and Another Year but what makes Tom Hooper’s movie stand out more is how it doesn’t get bogged down about it patriotism which the film is centered around.

            The true story is passed on George VI (Colin Firth) as he battles with himself as he has a self-esteem crippling speech impediment. After trying everything with wife Elizabeth (Helen Bonham Carter) everything seems at a loss. However after being recommended by an outside force Elizabeth soon finds Lionel (Geoffrey Rush) a failed Australian actor who promises to help the prince. After some fairly big bumps in the road George VI begins to open up as we see the antagonist is mainly in himself rather then a specific being. After his farther King George V dies Edward VIII (Guy Pearce) reluctantly becomes king. With World War 2 on the horizon the royal house is throw into a frenzy as the country needs to sort its self out before any war breaks out.

            There’s very little you can say against a movie like The King’s Speech. The script by David Seidler is informative and handles humour in all the right places. Without being a show off Seidler uses the right information to inform the viewers on a subject which was hid from the general public. Tom Hooper’s direction is superb as he shows the pre-war London in all it’s beauty before the bombs begin to fall. The mist covered streets add a artistic edge to the visuals and the locations you travel through are beautiful.

            The acting from everyone is brilliant and touching especially with the cameo from Guy Pearce. Obviously the film main focus is on Firth and Rush’s characters and it is handled very delicately as the have little arguments about hierarchies before finding a middle ground. Firth has once again proved himself a terrific actor as we see his internal struggle and frustration he feels towards himself. And with support from Bonham Carter in a surprisingly ‘normal’ role she becomes a very warm presents through out the movie.

            It is surprising with all the acting talent that this is a brilliant film which aims to entertain and inform audiences of any age about a time in British history which has not been seen before. If you are stuck for what to watch there isn’t much better out there amidst the dull and copy/paste films which pollute the cinema.  

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