Simply a Gem

Rating: 9/10 (11 May 2011)

Despite the hype, I was not really interested in watching the King's Speech being more of a thriller/horror/action/sci-fi/buff. But when I did watch it, I could then understand what the hype is all about.
Once in a while, comes a film which is almost flawless, a delight to watch, an event that relies more on the story telling, superb acting and excellent directing than on any other movie gimmick.
In this circle of movies, you get such ultimate experiences like The Godfather, The Shawshank Redemption, The Usual Suspects, The Hunt for Red October etc. Films that prove you do not need action or sex or vampires or boy wizards or hobbits to make a good story.
The King's Speech definitely belongs to this movie treasures.
It tells the unlikely friendship that develops between King George VI (formerly Prince Albert), a stammerer and his unorthodox speech therapist, Lionel Louge.
It is in the mid to late 30s. England is on the brink of war. The shadow of Hitler is looming over the West while that of Stalin's is creeping from the East.
England desperately needs to look up to their leaders for hope but even at the top, there is turmoil. The Prime Minister keeps on downplaying the menace of Hitler to the not so gullible citizens. King George V is an old sick man and relies on his two sons to hold up the country's morale and maintain their faith in the monarchy.
Alas, the elder son Edward has gained the disfavour of both his own family and the British Government because of his relationship with an American twice divorcée called Wallis Simpson. This liaison is threatening his ascension to the throne.
The younger son, Prince Albert (or Bertie) as his speech therapist insists on calling him has a serious speech defect that hinders his public speaking, and makes him afraid of making public appearances. If his country cannot hear his voice, how can he govern and lead them in this dark hour?
Enter his wife, Queen Elizabeth played by Helen Bonham Carter who plays the role with a fine restrained and quiet dignity. She introduces the Prince to the therapist and what follows is a strong compelling drama of quirky friendship and courage.
It was amusing to watch the quiet face off between the two men. At first, Louge (Geoffrey Rush)observes his new patient with a sense of bemused curiosity while Prince Albert regards his therapist with distrust and suspicion. It is highly enjoyable to watch the budding wariness between the two men develop into an awkward endearing friendship.
Colin Firth plays the stammering Prince Albert to a hilt. It is no wonder that he won an Oscar for his performance. I enjoyed watching his initial pomposity towards his therapist which sometimes changes to hostility or irritation and gradually turns to reluctant acceptance.
Geoffrey Rush was the perfect complement to Colin Firth. Both men were simply amazing and show why they are among the most versatile actors in the industry. His dry wit in the film reminded me of his stellar performance as the deranged Marquie De Sade in Quills.
Both men were strongly supported by Helen Boham Carter and Guy Pearce who plays the Prince Edward that abdicated his throne for the American. Mrs. Simpson. Pearce was a delight to watch and a scene stealer in every scene he appeared. I'm sure he had a lot of fun playing this complex man that abandoned his royal duties because of love, or for as Helen Carter scathingly and uncharitably puts it, "the skills acquired at an establishment in Shangai".
Tom Hooper did a masterful job in directing this movie. And it helped that he had a wonderful script written by the talented David Seidler.
Now if only the duo will team up to give us movies about Edward & Mrs. Simpson or Prince Charles & Lady Diana, or hell!, even Prince William & Kate Middleton!