"I am the seat of all authority because they think that when I speak, I speak for them." George VI, the King of England

Rating: 10/10 (1 February 2011)

The film "The King's Speech" is wonderfully absorbing, and absolutely deserves all of 12 nominations for the Academy Awards. One would think why a film about the speech problems of the British prince from 80 years ago, attracts the viewers, makes them care for the main character, and remains in memory days after it is over? One of the reasons - the starring performance of Colin Firth. This is the best performance by an actor from the year 2010. It is truly memorable. He was able to show a tormented man who was born close to throne but was not supposed to become a King and emperor due to his status of the second King's son. But he had accepted the King's responsibilities after his older brother; Edward VIII abdicated the throne to marry the woman he loved. Prince Berti, the Duke of York had in him what it takes to be a great ruler but he could not communicate it to the people because he suffered from the terrible case of stutter when he had to give the public speeches. We see "Bertie", later - King George VI, as the man who goes through the wide spectrum of emotions, struggling with all sorts of problems and insecurities. The film is based on the true story of the Duke of York, later King George VI, and his meeting with an unorthodox eccentric speech therapist – failed Australian actor Lionel Logue who may not have had the proper credentials but who knew from the experience and long practice how to find the root of the problem and to help his patients.
The chemistry between Firth and Jeffrey Rush is masterful; both actors make their characters and development of the unlikely friendship between them believable and totally absorbing. By the time, the King George VI has to give the historical speech on the radio declaring the war on Germany; we are totally engrossed in the story and feel how crucial it is that in the days preceding the ordeal for the whole country, people of England would hear the words of confidence and understanding from their King. When Lionel tells the King just before the recording of the nine minutes speech speech: "Talk to me, tell it to me as your friend", I knew that I was watching the best film of the year. The final scene brought to memory another scene from many years ago that I consider the top of acting and emotional impact, with Daniel Day Lewis in Jim Sheridan's My Left Foot, playing the man who was born with the cerebral palsy and whose body was paralyzed with the exception for his left foot. In the scene that I recall, Day Lewis's character picked up a chalk and started to write a word on the floor. When he finished writing that one word, I knew that I had witnessed not one but three triumphs - the triumph of a human will and spirit, the triumph of the cinema which was able to capture the moment on the film, and the triumph of an actor who did not act but who became the character. It's been many years since I saw My Left Foot and I don't remember experiencing the similar feeling until last Saturday, when I watched a triumphant final to the best film of the year, The King's Speech.
Emotional, funny, old-fashioned in the very good sense of the word, The King's Speech is a success of movie-making. There are many great aspects that make it very special among the ten nominees for Best Picture of the year including subtle directing, heartfelt music score, watercolor delicate cinematography, painstakingly recreated realities of the time when England was on the brink of entering the devastating war. What makes the film enjoyable for many viewers of the different tastes, ages, and preferences, is the masterful combination of historical realism, emotional drama and the elements of the best English comedy. The scenes of speech sessions between Bertie and Lionel were reminiscent, intentionally or not, to the scenes between Henry Higgins and Eliza Doolittle. The King's Speech is also a love story, or rather two love stories, about two princes who both found the loves of their lives. In case of David, the heir to the throne, he chose to be with the woman he loved even if it cost him the royal crown. Bertie fell in love with the girl who at the time was considered the "commoner" and who had declined his proposal twice being "afraid never, never again to be free to think, speak and act as I feel I really ought to". Once accepted, she became the loving wife and mother to their two daughters, his loyal friend, confidant, and supporter. Helena Bonham Carter is very convincing as Duchess of York, later Queen consort Elizabeth. In one of her interviews, the actress said that, "...she (Elizabeth) was definitely a tower of strength, and everyone says that Bertie could not have been King without her." I certainly got this feeling from the film.
The King's Speech has become one of my very favorite films from last year. The story is compelling, moving, with the perfect balance of poignant, uplifting, and humorous; the details of the epoch are recreated lovingly and precisely, but most importantly, it is a wonderfully told story of a human condition, of one man who wanted to overcome the obstacles on the way to accomplish his mission as the ruler able to reach out to the millions of people in the speeches that would make all the difference, and how love and support from his Queen, and the friendship, understanding and willing to listen from a "commoner" helped him to do so.