The King's Speech

I got the opportunity to view The King's Speech yesterday at Asheville's Fine Arts Theatre.  I did not know much about the film, other than "it is about that king who had that speech problem."

Let me just go ahead and say- the film was brilliant.  Directed by Tim Hooper and written by David Seidler, this film creates a creative telling of a historic tale.

The film opens at the Duke of York's speech at Wimbledon, where his stammer does not inspire his people, but rather gathers sympathy.  It is revealed that he has gone to almost every speech therapist around, and because of strange traditional methods (such as filling mouth with sterile marbles to the point of suffocation), none have worked.  The Duke's wife hears of a man, Lionel Logue (played by Geoffery Rush) who might be able to help.  This begins a journey of self-discovery, healing, and new steps for the Duke as he rises to take his place on the king's throne.

I am not going to go into details of scenes and show hidden meanings like I used to do, mainly because I honestly believe this film needs no flashy review, it can stand tall on its own.

The directing was amazing, there were several scenes were I had to turn to my friend Charlie and just say "Wow! Look at that shot!"  The use of camera angles and vantage points was astounding.

The writing was superb.  Rarely does one view a movie that has such wit!  The chemistry between Rush and Colin Firth, who played King George VI, was phenomenal.  It was so easy to get lost in the film because of these two features that I forgot about the elderly couples sitting directly next to us, trapping us in.  Or the elderly couple behind us who would not only laugh for 5-10 seconds at each and every joke, but would then immediately recite it to their partner.  Nothing could ruin this film for me, although several people in the audience tried.

As far as the cast goes, there could not have been better.  Helena Bonham Carter as Queen Elizabeth was simply astounding due to her quick wit and royal charm.  Colin Firth as King Georgy VI was marvelous, although his acting may have been the weakest.

The real show stealer was Geoffery Rush.  It seemed impossible to believe that this man on the screen before me was simply an actor and not really Lionel Logue.  Emotions seemed so real, and every movement seemed like nature and impulse rather than what the script commanded.


All in all- go see The King's Speech.  My wife, who does not share movie taste with me, loved it, although already decided she would not when we walked into the theatre.

And if you can, go see it at a small independent theatre like, Asheville Fine Art's Theatre.  There is just nothing like walking up to a marquee.