I typically try to make sure I have seen all films that are nominated under the Best Picture category for the Oscars. After hearing how exceptional “The King’s Speech” was, and since it got nominated for Best Picture, I decided to go see what all the hype was about. While “The King’s Speech” was definitely not what I was expecting, I still enjoyed the movie. This film is not bursting with action like I was expecting, but instead most of the movie revolves around conversations between Prince Albert (aka Bertie) and his speech therapist, Lionel Logue.
The movie opens up in the year 1925 with Bertie (Prince Albert) making his first radio broadcast which happens to be given in front of a large crowd. However, Bertie cannot even complete his speech due to an extreme speech impediment (he stammers). The scene is uncomfortable and awkward, and it is not hard for the audience to feel the embarrassment that Prince Albert, his wife, and everyone else is suffering. Obviously as someone in line for the crown as the King of England, a stammer is unacceptable.
The film then jumps forward ten years to the death of King George V, Bertie’s father. From here the movie focuses on developing the relationship between Bertie (Colin Firth) and an eccentric speech therapist, Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush).
Though there is no real action in the movie and most of the scenes are conversations between Bertie and Lionel, the movie never becomes boring or dull. However, I was disappointed that there were no unanticipated twists within the plot. The only scandalous event happened when Bertie’s brother, King Edward VIII, abdicated the throne in order to marry a woman who had been divorced three times and had been having an affair with Edward.
It doesn’t take long for the audience to realize that “The King’s Speech” is supposed to be a feel-good movie and leaves little guessing to the audience as to how the movie will play out. Hmmmm I bet that by the end of the movie, Bertie will be able to give a radio broadcast without stammering. But the point of the movie isn’t to keep the audience guessing as to what will happen next. The point of the movie is to get the audience emotionally involved in Bertie’s struggle to overcome a speech problem, so that he can serve as the leader that England desperately needs as the country sits on the brink of war. This, the movie does do and does it extremely well.
Someone who really pleasantly surprised me with her role was Bertie’s wife, Elizabeth (Helena Bonham Carter) who is easily recognized as the ruthless Bellatrix Lestrange from the Harry Potter series. Carter proves once again her amazing acting talent and ability to take on drastically different roles. Really, who would have thought Bellatrix would be able to play King George VI’s loving and supporting wife?
My absolute favorite character though was Geoffrey Rush as Lionel. Rush’s character is hilarious. Not in a laugh-out-loud way (no part in this movie made me actually laugh out loud) but more in a makes-you-chuckle way. The peculiar antics and odd ways Lionel uses to help Bertie with his speech impediment (such as encouraging Bertie to say a continuous string of cuss words when he starts to stammer) makes him impossible not to absolutely love. I’ll take Lionel as my best friend any day.
After seeing “The King’s Speech,” I understand why it is nominated for Best Picture. But compared to other nominees in the category, I definitely don’t think it is worthy of the title. This movie is one that makes you think and sends a powerful message to the audience, but I don’t think I will watch this movie more than once.
Bottom line: Since it is nominated for Best Picture, I think that everyone should go see this movie. Just don’t be prepared to see a movie full of action and laughs. Instead, you are getting a feel good “drama” that depicts the semi-true historical story of a king who had to overcome a stammer. Oh, and you get two hours of British accents.
3 out of 4 stars
