Basically a filmed stage-play

Rating: 7/10 (29 January 2011)

I must admit to a disappointment after all the hype, although it is gratifying that so many find this piece -which depends on words, intelligence and character rather than mindless spectacle- so satisfying. My problem was seeing this as an essentially cinematic experience rather than a TV film.
The static quality of many of the scenes -usually set in Geoffrey Rush's rooms- and the limited amount of main characters, reveals the source of this piece as a stage work albeit fleshed out slightly for the cinema. This lack of on screen action does make the film drag in a few places although usually covered up by the bravura performances of the leads.
The script is not so good as many would have you believe and contains several implausibilities and historical inaccuracies. Churchill for instance almost destroyed his career by siding with the previous king not with the one depicted here. Certain important historical events are at best shaded in rather than explained in depth. It is also to be doubted how familiar Geoffrey Rush would be with his king in 1930's England with its rigid class system.
The performances are however superb, flawless and dazzling with Helena Bonham Carter and Colin Firth hitting exactly the right tone. The finale, with the The King delivering his inspirational eve of war is stirring indeed. I felt my spine tingle and tears well up.
As a metaphor for overcoming one's life obstacles through perseverance, this is hard to fault although its general slowness and lack of interesting settings will not be to everyone's taste.