By Rama Gaind
Film: The King’s Speech
Stars: Colin Firth, Helena Bonham Carter, Guy Pearce, Michael Gambon, Geoffrey Rush
Director: Tom Hooper
The King’s Speech is elegantly staged, driven by brilliant performances from Firth and Rush as the most unlikely of friends.
It is based on the true story of George VI’s battles to overcome a dreaded stutter that hampered both his confidence and ability to communicate with the public.
Bravery comes in many forms as the troubled Royal turns to an eccentric Australian speech therapist for help. It is their relationship, though adversarial at first, that understandably develops into something vital and binding.
The film is set during the mid-1930s with England on the brink of war with Nazi Germany. Firth plays King George VI, but at the time he was only the Duke of York and known as ‘Bertie’ by his family. His speech impediment prohibits him from speaking in public or to almost anyone at all, without stammering and freezing up.
Dr Lionel Logue (Rush) comes admirably to the rescue with a set of unexpected techniques. As a result, ‘Bertie’ finds his voice in time to deliver an important speech to the British Empire and boldly lead the country to declare war.
This splendidly crafted period drama has light comic moments and compelling acting. Firth gives his best performance yet, Bonham Carter (as ‘Bertie’s ever-supportive wife) has never been better and Rush is brilliant too.
Other facets of the film were equally outstanding: Tom Hooper’s taut, brisk direction, David Seidler’s incredible screenplay, Alexandre Desplat’s fantastic score, the extraordinarily bright dialogues between Firth and Rush and the elegant compositions of cinematography by Danny Cohen. Those close-ups make you feel as if you’re in the same room with them!
Even the costumes and period set decoration are perfectly on the mark.
The King’s Speech has received seven Golden Globe nominations, including Best Picture, Director, Actor (for Firth) and Screenplay. Hopes are high of it being bestowed with many awards in 2011 – and they will be well deserved.
