A Regal Affair

Rating: Null/10 (8 March 2011)

This is truly an elegant and scrumptious movie! Everything about it feels lavish and luxurious. From the direction, production, acting and everything else! It might seem a bit as a by-the-numbers film, but believe me, it more than makes up with its high pedigree. Colin Firth is really great in his performance and completely deserved the Oscar he so rightfully won. But it is not just him, because he is anchored by a stunning and wonderful supporting cast, from Helena Bonham Carter (who should have also won a Supporting Actress Oscar) to the amazing Jeffrey Rush, Derek Jakobi, Michael Gambon, Guy Pearce and Jennifer Ehle.
While I was rooting for David Fincher to win the Oscar for Best Director, I am not sorry that Tom Hooper received it, because he deserved it just as much. Tom Hooper has been a favourite of mine for many years now. He might be best known to North American audiences for his spectacular work for HBO, with the multiple-award winning mini-series "Elizabeth I" and "John Adams" as well as TV movies such as "Longford" and the small movie gem that was "The Damned United" with Michael Sheen.
The same goes for Best Movie Of The Year. I still think that "The Social Network" should have won, but "The King's Speech" is a worthy choice also.
Beyond all the quirky episodes and soaring moments of the movie, this is at its hear a story about friendship, trust, loyalty and what those ingredients add up to in someone's life, not matter his/her station and/or position in society.
If you haven't already done so, do yourself a favour and go see this wonderful movie. These days, when everything seems to be ruled by the lowest common denominator, this movie, "The King's Speech", stands as an example of what happens when both substance and style stand for something...namely quality!