Ever wonder what the King or Queen of England does for a living. They don't rule their country anymore. That's done by Parliament. Seems English royalty just make appearances and speeches. If a king can't speak, he can't do his job. Take this already difficult situation and add the approach of World War II and a couple of the best orators who ever lived speechmaking for the opposing side: Adolph Hitler and Benito Mussolini. The King and his country are in big trouble. Leaders must rouse the people into action and support. Without a voice, it's impossible. And this was the situation for King George VI of England (Colin Firth) in the years leading up to the War. It's not like he hadn't tried any number of doctors to help him with his severe stuttering problem, but none had worked -- until his wife, Queen Elizabeth (Helena Bonham Carter), eventual Queen Mother of future Queen Elizabeth II who still reigns, found Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush) , speech therapist.
Imagine a foreign commoner calling the King at their first meeting Bertie and asking about his relationship with his father! Logue felt psychoanalysis was a major part of therapy to rid the King of his meddlesome speech defect. Equal status between patient and therapist was also essential. He included body and voice exercises and no smoking as well. Unfortunately, King George only abided this rule while in the presence of Logue, and eventually died of lung cancer (not in the film). There were clashes and arguments between the two, but eventually, as history shows, Logue was successful and King George guided his people with calm, eloquent speeches through the War till its conclusion. The beauty of historical films is that, as an educated audience, we know the end, but the interplay of characters on a very personal and human level is a true reward. 'The King's Speech' is bountiful in this respect.
This is a very smart, humorous, witty movie. It is historically fascinating seeing the relationship George had with his brother, the abdicated King Edward VIII (Guy Pearce) (who was pressured out of his position due to his impending marriage to twice divorced American Wallace Simpson, but, more importantly, because he was a Nazi sympathizer, which was delicately suggested in the film). It was fascinating to learn the roots of George's speech problem and it was wonderful watching his relationship with Queen Elizabeth and their children, Elizabeth and Margaret.
Colin Firth obviously worked very hard and successfully to perfect his stuttering; all hearts in the audience go out to his character in his several painful attempts to speak publicly.
Kudos to writer David Seidler, himself a one time suffer of stuttering. At one point he asked the Queen Mother (Mrs. King George VI) if he could write a play about King George and his problem, and she agreed, but only after she died. He waited 30 years since she lived to the age of 102. Director Tom Hooper was also eminently qualified to direct this historical royal story, with experience directing Elizabeth I , starring Helen Mirran, for British TV.
The King's Speech
Director: Tom Hooper
Writer: David Seidler
Cast: Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter, Guy Pearce, Michael Gambon, Timothy Spall, Jennifer Ehle, Derek Jacobi
Time: 111 min.
Opening November 24
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