Fantastic

Rating: Null/10 (8 February 2011)

The King's Speech is one of the best films of the last year. Brilliantly acted, in particular by Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush, and directed by Tom Hooper.
After the death of his father King George V (Michael Gambon) and the scandalous abdication of King Edward VIII (Guy Pearce), Bertie (Colin Firth) who has suffered from a debilitating speech impediment all his life, is suddenly crowned King George VI of England. With his country on the brink of war and in desperate need of a leader, his wife, Elizabeth (Helena Bonham Carter), the future Queen Mother, arranges for her husband to see an eccentric speech therapist, Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush). After a rough start, the two delve into an unorthodox course of treatment and eventually form an unbreakable bond. With the support of Logue, his family, his government and Winston Churchill (Timothy Spall), the King will overcome his stammer and deliver a radio-address that inspires his people and unites them in battle.
As I already said the acting is brilliant. Geoffrey Rush is at his best since Shine and Colin Firth brings a heartbreaking realism to Bertie but it also is a subtle performance. Every time he tries to speak but chokes on his words you feel a great compassion and pity for him. Every stammer is a stumble on his road to finding his voice.
I loved the cinematography of the film. Director of Photography Danny Cohen places the camera in such interesting places without getting in the way of the emotional investment created by the actors. He frames the actors off to the left or right instead of in the center of the screen
In short I would highly recommend this film