Rush and Firth are just sublime

Rating: Null/10 (18 October 2011)

Let's be honest, if a writer was to pitch an idea of a film about a man with a stammer it would more than likely be rejected flat. Not much of a conflict for a man with a speech impediment other than struggling to fit a one minute sentence into, well one minute. Therefore I believe this film was only really made due to the fact that our King at the time of war had a stammer and was needed to speak to fill the nation with confidence. I suppose now you can suggest a little conflict.
The film follows the Duke of York, Prince Albert (Firth). After failing to deliver a speech at Wembley Stadium his wife Elizabeth (Carter) decides to find a man who can treat her husband. After struggling with several speech therapists, Elizabeth enlists the help of Lionel Logue (Rush), an Australian actor who helps people with stammers. The story then follows Albert and Lionel's relationship along with Albert's rise to the thrown through the death of his father and the abdication of his brother, who was more interested in women then leading his country. The story shows the arrival of King George VI. The father of our now Queen Elizabeth. Reluctant to take the thrown but knowing he must the King must now try harder to solve his speech problem, especially with Hitler rising and war with Germany is beckoning.
The plot of the film is weak but seeing as it is true British history we will let that slip. Also because the film isn't based around plot but around the characters involved. Let me just say the acting in this film is fantastic. Firth is so acceptable as a man struggling for words and will have you believing that in fact he is a man with a stammer. Rush is out of this world as the cocky therapist whose controversial methods must help the King. He's a man filled with wit and fearful of going deeper into someone who he should not treat as equal but does. Bonham Carter is also good as Queen Elizabeth and her chemistry with Firth feels real. In fact when these three are on screen the film really is something. The dialogue just bounces between Firth and Rush as if it was an actual conversation and not coming from a script. The lines also deliver humour and bring a light hearted feel to a part of history that is so pivotal to us Brits. Sadly though as the chemistry is so good the film slows slightly especially when Rush isn't on the screen.
The film also holds several cameos coming from Guy Pearce as Albert's brother Edward, Michael Gambon as their father, King George V and Timothy Spall as Winston Churchill. All delivering good performances all round.
The film delivers some lovely scenes and this is thanks to the fantastic direction. Shots are used here that won't be seen in many other films and the cinematography is so good that many of the shots involve more background than actors. Several shots having one actor in the bottom corners of the screen and the rest just being a multi coloured wall. The script is also brilliant with every bit of dialogue top notch. Like I said before the dialogue between King and teacher flows brilliantly. The script has the two as if the King is in fact a school child with Logue giving the King privileges if he participates in a task. Something a man with Royal power would never normally adhere to. One of Firth's speeches to Rush actually states that he always wondered what it would be like to know the ordinary man and to even have friends. Logue's character fits into both these aspects and helps this King to acquire the confidence he needs.
The film is very very good but I feel it is only at its best when the two leads are on screen, especially Rush. When he is not on I felt myself not as interested especially as the plot is overall only about a man with a stammer. I believe the film may not have been such a big success as it has been if it wasn't about the King but having said that it is still at the top of its genre.
I advise everyone to watch this. See how brilliant true acting can be and if you don't really like the film you will come out having learnt something about an important part of our history.