A sensitive and intimate treatment of a pivotal moment in history

Rating: 10/10 (16 January 2011)

Whilst out and out Royalists will love this film, even republicans and socialists with a heart will be touched by the portrayal of a man with a crippling disability overcoming seemingly impossible tasks.
Colin Firth portrays the heir apparent with tremendous sensitivity, communicating a genuine fear of the crown and all it means for him and his family, whilst battling with his sense of duty to do what is right for his country. It would have been easy for Firth to come across as a comical and derided figure. The harder task was for him to show the strength of character needed to overcome such a disability in a position that made no allowances, whilst at the same time nurturing the sympathy and loyalty of the audience.
In every scene she is present Helen Bonham-Carter exudes love, devotion and fierce protection for her husband and father of her children. It is this relationship, so intimately portrayed, that shows the strength the hesitant King draws upon. This champion of the institution is nevertheless prepared to stretch the boundaries of royal custom to seek unorthodox remedies for her husbands affliction.
Geoffrey Rush is outstanding as that unorthodox remedy (Logue) and the scenes featuring Logue and the King generate moments of light humour. During the most serious tests of the monarchy, Britain and Empire the contribution of Rush's character to the ability of the King to discharge his duty cannot be understated. As the pressure on the King builds towards the vitally important Kings Speech, Logue becomes a friend and confidante to the holder of one of the loneliest jobs in the world.
Firth, Rush, Hooper and Seidler all deserve the highest praise for this thoroughly moving and enjoyable film. If they don't get an Oscar out of this I suspect there is still some residual bitterness in the American Colonies.