We Shall Prevail

Rating: 9/10 (10 May 2011)

I believe when a movie like The King's Speech comes out, and the Academy gets ready to take a vote on Best Picture, Director, etc, they immediately pick this because of its story and its very serious tone. Some movies that get nominated for an Oscar have no chance of winning. Winter's Bone had no publicity, The Kids Are All Right, no publicity, Toy Story 3 had the animation category in the bag so that wasn't going to happen and so on.
The real competition was between The King's Speech and The Social Network. I wanted The Social Network to win, but knew right after this one would take it. Do not get me wrong though. The King's Speech was a very well made film. But both The Fighter and The Social Network were stronger and more entertaining than this one. There was more excitement. That's not to say The King's Speech wasn't entertaining. It had more suddle excitement than other films it was competing against.
The story is that King George V's son Albert Frederick Arthur George (later known as King George VI, played by Firth respectively) had a stammering problem where he would fumble words and the stammer would increasingly show and worsen when frustrated, mad, or upset. George sees an Australian Lionel Logue (Rush), speech therapist to try and improve his way with words. The United Kingdom is in trouble and scared about World War II approaching. They desperately need information and direction from George. He can't give direction, if he has a stammer. He needs to be relaxed and at ease, which is a big struggle.
I have been questioning a lot to myself if Firth really deserved the Oscar. It was a tough year for Best Actor. Who to give it to? Franco was great in 127 Hours, Wahlberg punched and kicked his ass off in The Fighter, Jesse Eisenberg and his tech geeky self consumed me in The Social Network, and I haven't seen Biutiful or True Grit to judge Bardem and Bridges' scenes. Personally, if anyone deserves the Oscar the most, I think it's a toss up between Firth and Wahlberg. It's hard to stutter, but to be British and stutter is even harder. But to box efficiently and effectively is hard in a movie as well.
The King's Speech is directed well and deserved the Oscar for the category and the costume design and musical score is composed to perfection. It doesn't feel forced, it feels relaxed, even at its most stressed moments. The story of King George VI still amazes me to this day that someone with such a bad speaking problem lived on to be a great and exceptional ruler. It truly is a remarkable story.
There are points where the film is taking it slow and the voices tend to simmer. The dialog is soft, you need to listen, and sometimes you might find yourself drifting in and out of the film's storyline. But you immediately get sucked back after being in lala-land for a few seconds.
George's speech We Shall Prevail is breathtaking and utterly leaves you speechless. The power in his words and his soft voice really strikes you buy surprise and may leave you questioning somethings. The King's Speech is delightful and inspiring, but still is a questionable Oscar win.
Starring: Collin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, and Helena Bonham Carter. Directed by: Tom Hooper.