‘King’s Speech’ tries to understand King George VI

Colin Firth gives an impressive performance as King George VI (father to the current Queen Elizabeth, for those keeping track at home) in The King’s Speech. He plays a reluctant monarch during the height of World War II, and when his countrymen need him the most for inspiration and fortitude, he becomes self-conscious of his stutter.

Firth offers a layered, nuanced portrait of the king. It’s a finely measured performance that rightfully deserves an Oscar. It’s about time for Firth, a British actor perhaps best known for TV’s Pride and Prejudice, plus Bridget Jones’s Diary and A Single Man.

Standing beside the king is Geoffrey Rush’s character of Lionel, the pseudo-doctor who is tasked with helping the monarch with his stutter. Lionel has unorthodox methods of elocution that seem more humorous than therapeutic, but there’s a method to his madness. And King George soon finds the worthiness behind their daily sessions.

Helena Bonham Carter plays the king’s wife. She does her best in a slightly underwritten role; she needed one more emotional scene to better understand the character’s motivations.

Perhaps the best attribute of The King’s Speech is David Seidler’s beautiful dialogue. I thought that this must be based on some previous story. It came as quite the surprise when I saw Seidler’s name in the Original Screenplay category on the Academy’s list.

Tom Hooper, the director, has also brandished his artistic brush well. The King’s Speech in less able hands could have turned out to be a BBC made-for-TV film (not that there is anything wrong with BBC made-for-TV films). The King’s Speech excels and completely exceeds any initial notions. This is quality filmmaking, and the look of the film is gorgeous, almost like a yellowing postcard.

It’s a small story, but one that has depth. I liken it almost to watching a great play: Everything relies on the performances at the center of the conflict.

By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com

• The King’s Speech

• 2010
  

• Directed by Tom Hooper

• Written by David Seidler
  

• Starring Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter and Guy Pearce
  

• Running time: 118 minutes

• Rating:

Revised