The King’s Speech (2010)

Tom Hooper – Director

David Seidler – Screenplay

Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter

If you’re like me, there was a decent period of your life when you quite literally thought that if you could just scrape some pennies together, get yourself a plane ticket to London, conveniently stumble into some sort of charity opening where *gasp* the Queen is making a speech, charm her, and be invited back to tea to meet the royal family, you could absolutely marry a future king. Because you know, the plane ticket was holding you back. Well, even if that wasn’t your particular fantasy, I think everyone harbors a bit of a secret fascination with royalty. I mean US Weekly certainly does lately. So who am I to pass up a delightful period piece- biopic about the current Queen’s father, King George VI, also known, in the inner circles, as Bertie.

The King’s Speech, based on the novel by Mark Logue and Peter Conradi, tells the tale of a reluctant prince’s rise to lead his country, overcoming a personal aversion to the spotlight and a bit of a temper control problem. Oh, and a devastating stammer. Lionel Logue (Rush) is as brazen as Bertie (Firth) is reserved, forcing him, effectively kicking and screaming, into lowering his shield of propriety and royal arrogance enough to begin to see a future not only without a stutter, but as a public prince. And with the threat of his older brother, the heir to the throne, making a, shall we say, bold choice by pursuing a twice married American divorcée, the crown is heading alarmingly towards his court. Helped along by his practical and outspoken wife (Carter), Bertie comes to value and respect Logue and finds the strength to become a public figure.

Let’s be honest, it’s a who’s who of wonderful actors. Colin Firth is as ever the quintessential British gentleman and Geoffrey Rush, out of the pirate garb, is charming and hilarious as his deadpan voice coach. Add in a surprise guest appearance by Michael Gambon as the dying King George V – which frankly I could have used a little more of – and Guy Pierce as the slightly slutty King Edward “David” VIII. It seems kind of silly to say they were “good”, kind of like I was suggesting that they might not have been. Like, “wow! Geoffrey Rush pulled it off, whew!” So. Instead, I’m going to talk about Helena Bohman Carter who I love and have loved forever. However, while she also is “good” in her numerous roles –, Fight Club’s Marla Singer, Sweeney Todd’s Mrs. Lovett, The Red Queen and, of course, Bellatrix Lestrange– she is effortlessly perfect as the King’s partner, often expressing what her husband clearly does not have the voice to say.

Now I am of the opinion that music can absolutely make a movie. It can be just a perfect song at the right time or a whole score that sets the tone for the film. This can be especially true in a period piece where the audience needs to be transported through time.  The King’s Speech is definitely of the latter category with French composer, Alexandre Desplat, creating the perfect ambiance. Overall, definitely one worth seeing. Not solely because it is up for several Oscars and no one likes to be the sad sally sitting in the corner going, “oh, what? No I didn’t see that. Who are those people?” 


*Colin Firth is likely a shoo-in for Best Actor. The real money is on who will win Best Supporting: Geoffrey Rush or Helena Bonham Carter. Maybe both?