The Kings Speech.

[mazolaman]

We`went to see this the other night,and I would recommend it.

George VI is a reluctant candidate for King,but circumstances force him to be,as his brother abdicates due to his love for Wallace Simpson(he cannot marry a commoner)!

The film fills in a small amount of background regarding these things,such as royal life,etiquette,the politics of the times,the mantel of leadership,but it concentrates almost entirely on the relationship between GeorgeVI and Lionel Logue,and Australian speech therapist who works with the king to try to overcome his dreadful stammer.

This is the beauty of this film.

The scenes with these two characters alone are superbly acted.

Colin Firth is excellent as the king,but even better is Geoffrey Rush as Lionel logue.

Both actors offer a magnetic performance,Firth's being in his more usual style as the sensitive Englishman,Rush portrays with nuance the pains of being from "the colonies" in England,and the ups and downs of trying to cure a stammering king.

Also,Guy Pierce is his usual excellent as the abdicating king Edward,and Helena Bonham Carter is very good,without having too much to do.

Timothy Spall puts in a good turn as Churchill,who always has a Churchill on the go.

My reason for posting this film is that I felt it is great to watch a film,with no effects,bells and whistles,which relies almost entirely on the acting abilities of the main two characters,and for them to act so well.

Well worth sparking up a churchill and watching.

[Colt45]

Haven't seen it yet, but intend to - I admit I'm a fan of these type of "period pieces". I'll also take a good story, writing, and acting

over special effects etc, every time. I'm hoping the current love affair with 3-D is a passing fad.....

[mazolaman]

Haven't seen it yet, but intend to - I admit I'm a fan of these type of "period pieces". I'll also take a good story, writing, and acting

over special effects etc, every time. I'm hoping the current love affair with 3-D is a passing fad.....

Definitely agree regarding 3d.it generally gets slated by most critics over here,and I personally am no too keen on it.

I've never been the biggest fan of the stereotypical period drama,but the acting in this is excellent.

Also,the music to the speech,beethovens symphony no 7,ads gravitas to the horrific war that will follow.

Worth it for the acting alone,hope you can catch it.

[Puros Y Vino]

Fantastic movie!! I'd definitely recommend it.

[ZinZan]

Yep to notch acting. I think Firth acting deserves an oscar.

[mazolaman]

It looks like he's nailed on to get one.

[Torontonian]

Thanks for the review Maz. I saw The King's Speech in December and, for whatever reason, was the only person under the age of sixty-five in the cinema. A good film certainly. They couldn't avoid the odd anachronism and a little revisionist history - the ultra-modern take on smoking, for instance - but it's Hollywood after all. And the movie was just a few seconds too long, literally. Ending with the slow middle movement of Beethoven's fifth concerto was lovely, but they should have cut to credits when the piano entered, or so it seemed to me.

[ChanceSchmerr]

for whatever reason, was the only person under the age of sixty-five in the cinema

this is EXACTLY what happened to my fiancee and I when we went to see it. The whole crowd stood up and applauded over the credits at the end. Turns out it was Seniors day at the theater. I figure most of those in the audience probably remember seeing King George when he toured Victoria...back in '39...

No wonder they had Metamucil at the Snack Counter!

Fantastic film, btw. Best I've seen this year

[mazolaman]

Torontonian-yep,it did have it's flaws.

It seems most films representing England can't avoid using the old "cucumber sandwhich-croquet on the lawn" type cliches,of which there are a few.

I guess the biggest flaw I felt was after the speech,there was a sense of happiness amongst everyone around him,which seemed a little flipant of the film maker,knowing the bloody horrible war that was to follow.The "happy ending" seemed a bit misplaced.

Maybe I missed the point(I frequently do!)

Chance-I think it is generally being viewd by older folk,thinking back I think it was mainly middle aged when we went,but there are a lot of people I talk to,of all ages,who have seen and enjoyed it.

I think it is one of those films that is recognised by all age groups,as a good film.

It's the acting that did it for me.

[thechenman]

I really need to check this film out. Thought about seeing it one night in San Francisco, but decided I would rather spend the time enjoying a cigar...

[Torontonian]

Timothy Spall puts in a good turn as Churchill,who always has a Churchill on the go.

What is just me or did it look like his cigar was lit but not cut in a few of the scenes?

[thcooper]

I really like movies about the royalty that's why this movie struck a chord. It is not a comedy unlike how some colleagues where sharing stories about it. Though we were kidding about returning the dvd, if we get one, to the store to complain about not understanding the protag's lines. Good movie, great story and just further proves the point that you could be up there but you would never be perfect.