Magnificent film!

Rating: 10/10 (6 February 2011)

The King's Speech
I nearly passed on this film as I thought it less likely to be entertaining than many of the other offerings out now. In the end I'm very happy I chose to see it. This is clearly the best film I've seen this year, and I've seen all the nominated films.
There is a great deal to recommend this film, beginning with impeccable direction by Tom Hooper, a marvelously written story by David Seidler and beautiful cinematography by Danny Cohen all set within the masterful framework of superb art and set direction and beautiful costumes and makeup. In fact, all of the technical aspects of this film are superb, as evidenced by the richly deserved Oscar nominations. But the real triumph may be the contribution of Nina Gold as the Casting Director. Such wonderful casting! Bravo, Nina! This is a wonderful, inspiring, life affirming journey through the tortured recesses of a man's mind as he struggles with his inner demons. It goes a long way toward proving that no station in life can totally exclude one from misery and unhappiness.
Leading the way for us on this journey are two of the world's consummate actors; Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush. Firth plays the tortured soul of the title on a desperate but futile search for help with a seemingly irresolvable problem. His problem is attached with a singular resolve by Rush's character, Lionel Logue, who became the King's teacher and, eventually, more.
To our advantage these two fine gentlemen are joined in their efforts by the impeccably talented Helena Bonham Carter, first as the Duchess of York then as Firth's Queen consort, Elizabeth (later known as the Queen Mother).
As the film unfolds, these truly talented actors play off of the selfish decisions made by the equally talented Guy Pearce in the role of Firth's cruel and insensitive older brother Edward, who is the Prince of Wales at the beginning of the film.
This wonderful story then reveals some aspects of the inner workings of the British monarchy as we follow what happens when Pierce's character falls in love with the politically and socially unacceptable Wallace Simpson, a divorcée, played to a scheming turn by the talented Eve Best. Best, in fact, makes a nice study in how to make the most of a small part.
When Pierce's father, Michael Gambon convincingly playing an abusive King George V, dies the crown automatically passes to his oldest son, Pearce, playing the man who became Kind Edward VIII. But King Edward's infatuation with Best's character causes an uproar among the power brokers in London who apply pressure, forcing him to abdicate in favor of his younger brother who then becomes King George VI.
But George VI, who had been hoping to spend his life in blissful seclusion away from the public eye, finds himself suddenly thrust onto the limelight during one of the most terrible times in Britain's, and the world's history. George finds the duties expected of him impossible to perform due to his being afflicted with really bad stammering. His problem launches him, and us with him, on this marvelous journey to find himself within his public facade.
We suffer and succeed along with Firth as he very painfully recreates George's struggles, trying with every particle of his soul to be a better king, and is, in the end, helped only by Rush's character who was found and hired by Carter's loving Elizabeth.
Altogether, this film offers a marvelous ensemble cast throughout, featuring uniformly great performances from all. There's not a sour note in the lot with fine contributions by such marvelous actors as Claire Bloom and Timothy Spall, as Queen Mary and Winston Churchill respectively.
I am happily satisfied that Firth and Rush have been nominated for awards along with the film. There's 12 Oscar chances to recognize this brilliant example of the modern film making art. There would be no injustice in both they and the film winning every Oscar they are nominated for.
By Bruce L. Jones
http://webpages.charter.net/bruce.jones1/