Compelling historical drama with a stellar performance from Firth

Rating: 8/10 (22 January 2011)

"The King's Speech" is the story of British king George VI (Colin Firth) and his working relationship with longtime speech therapist Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush). Afflicted with a speech impediment from an early age, the royal's difficulties in communicating with his subjects caused him great anxiety regarding his suitability for the throne.
While the subject matter may not seem overly compelling on the surface, screenwriter David Seidler did a fine job of putting the monarch's difficult situation into perspective. The advent of radio meant that the King's voice carried farther than ever before but that could be either a blessing or a curse. The turmoil surrounding the British monarchy circa the mid-1930's also serves to create a dramatic backdrop, as do the rising tensions in Europe at the time.
Colin Firth deserves a lot of credit for the film's success. He invests his character with a sense of humanity, relatable to those in all walks of life. His ensuing Oscar, Golden Globe & BAFTA wins came as little surprise. Geoffrey Rush was also excellent in support, as was Helena Bonham Carter. The remainder of the well-stocked cast includes talented thespians such as Guy Pearce, Michael Gambon, Derek Jacobi & Timothy Spall.
From a production standpoint, the film shows ample craft. The 14 BAFTA nominations & 12 Oscar nominations serve to illustrate the care put into all areas of the film, from cinematography to costume design. Director Tom Hooper won an Oscar for his distinctive contribution, while composer Alexandre Desplat's majestic score was honoured with a BAFTA award.
In the end, "The King's Speech" proves to be an engaging film with a deft mixture of drama, wit and compassion. Its overall level of craftsmanship (not to mention Firth's fine performance) make it one of the best films of 2010.