Inspiring story well told.

Rating: 8/10 (6 December 2011)

The movie does not open with the Weinsteins saying "we thank the Academy for their consideration" but beyond this omission this film is pure Oscar bait. And frankly it deserves to garner a number of the naked yellow ditch diggers. Most assuredly one of these should go to Colin Firth who plays the spineless, stuttering King George VI-one of the more unattractive royal characters in recent memory-with historical accuracy but yet making him a sympathetic character. A second statue should go Helena Bonham Carter. Although she has to do little more than be encouraging and sympathetic to her hamster of a husband in this film she turns in yet another great performance and this plus a string of memorable characters in a long career should get her the award. Geoffrey Rush will also likely win although his character is the unfailing witty, charming hero throughout the 2 hour run time so he really didn't need to work that hard. It should also win a slew of technical awards for cinematography, art direction and costuming - the production is impeccable. This Best Picture nominee shoe-in and likely favorite to win has only those shortcomings common to large-scale historical costume dramas - the run-time is a little long, some parts slow beyond comfort and it lacks a real personal connection beyond the miniscule portion of the audience that remembers these events. Also, "The King's Speech" has to be the least compelling title in recent memory - where were the marketing people? If Hooper's creation doesn't come up big Oscar night part of the reason may somewhat represent fatigue over the sheer number of movies about English royalty of late ("The Queen", "Young Victoria", "Elizabeth" and "Elizabeth 2", "The Duchess", etc.). Speaking of which, when does Wallis Simpson get her big screen treatment? The older, twice divorced American born "Bessie" briefly ruled one-fourth of the world through her domination of King Edward VIII and wound up with a Duchy. Her story cries out for a biopic.