The Best Movie of 2010

Rating: 10/10 (25 January 2011)

I can't think of a more perfect movie than "The King's Speech." It got all the 12 Academy Award nominations that it deserves. I do predict that Colin Firth will win as King George, aka "Bertie," the sixth, and Geoffrey Rush will win as Bertie's loyal speech therapist Lionel Logue, who helps him overcome his stutter and then becomes his friend for life. Helena Bonham Carter was fantastic and exquisite as Bertie's loving wife, the Queen Mother Elizabeth, who recommends her husband to the speech therapist, and deservedly was nominated best supporting actress. I'm not sure if she will win, but I would nominate her. Best actress win? Natalie Portman, the front runner for "Black Swan," an overrated "artful" horror movie that I will not see, and many people I know personally don't like that movie.
What I liked most about "The King's Speech" is that it is not a pedantic fact-throwing history lesson taught by your average social studies teacher. It is really a very touching story that delves into Bertie's positive relationship with his wife, his daughters, and the speech therapist. When his older brother King Edward (Guy Pearce) decides its time to abdicate the throne, Bertie is the next of kin and has to step in. But he is not all that confident enough due to his stammer, so the Queen Mother and the speech therapist help out. When Bertie is angry, he doesn't stammer. It comes out more so when he is nervous. During the speech courses, many lessons are learned, and some are quite humorous as you will see.
Then comes the big speech at the end of the movie. It's 1939, and Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain got England into World War II against Hitler and Nazi Germany. When you hear Bertie speak through a microphone, your heart, mind, and soul will feel warm all over.
"The King's Speech" passes the litmus test for positivity in every way. You don't have to be a history scholar to understand the movie. Let the history be the backdrop and concentrate more on the relationships and the wonderful feelings the movie wants to convey.