Film Review #2: The King's Speech

This is where I put that this review may contain spoilers, I will try to make them minimal... But this film is based on a true story so I shouldn't be telling you anything you didn't learn in grade 10 History.

     So The King's Speech is based on the true story of King George VI, father of current Queen, Queen Elizabeth. I realize this movie came out what seemed like ages ago but I just got around to watching it, I'm not going to lie going in I didn't expect very much, I know it won the Oscar for Best Picture, but generally I dislike the films that do, but end up watching them anyway since I consider myself a minor movie buff. That's probably why I took so long to get to this film, anyways I'm rambling. On with the film itself...

The film takes place between 1925 and September 1939 (Those who didn't sleep through History should know the significance of that final date) and it follows King George VI, known as Prince Albert, Duke of York at the beginning of the film, path to the throne. Prince Albert was not first in line for his father's throne since he was the 2nd born son to Prince David, Duke of Windsor. So not only does poor Bertie have to live in the shadow of his father, King George V, but also his brother and his "bloody stammer" doesn't help things.

     At first Prince Albert and his wife hire the royal physicians to help him with his speech problems, the only problems are their methods involve sticking 7 marbles in your mouth and speaking with them in to help with enunciation, smoking because the smoke is good for your larynx and gurgling liquor. He makes his wife promise that there will be no more speech therapy but that's when she meets Lionel Logue.

     Lionel doesn't care who you are, when you're with him it's his world, his game, his rules. The king and him are equals whether Bertie, as Logue affectionately calls him, likes it or not. Following the passing of King George V and the crowning of Prince David, now King Edward VIII, as King Prince Albert begins to see Logue as more than a speech therapist, but as a friend. It is revealed that Prince Albert was treated poorly, abused even as a child, and it went unnoticed by his parents and his brother tortured him to no end about his stammer, all of which was not only condoned by his father, but encouraged. However not all is perfect as the two friends both say some things either are proud of but they make up after a while when it is learnt that King Edward VIII will concede the throne to his brother so he can marry the women he loves, a two time divorcee that the church will not condone having as their queen. The film reaches it's conclusion on an evening in September when King George VI must make the declaration of war broadcast to Britain and the Empire.

Although the above sounds like your typical period drama, it is actually far from, as it wanders onto the ligh-hearted and humourous side, more so than the dramatic prepare for Hitler that most expect, following is an exchange King George VI had with Lionel Logue during one of their speech therapy classes [Source: IMDB]: 

King George VI: All that work down the drain. My own brother, I couldn't say a single word to him in reply.
Lionel Logue: Why do you stammer so much more with David than you ever do with me?
King George VI: 'Cos you're b... bloody well paid to listen.
Lionel Logue: Bertie, I'm not a geisha girl.
King George VI: St... stop trying to be so bloody clever.
Lionel Logue: What is it about David that stops you speaking?
King George VI: What is it about you that bloody well makes you want to go on about it the whole bloody time?
Lionel Logue: Vulgar, but fluent; you don't stammer when you swear.
King George VI: Oh, bugger orf!
Lionel Logue: Is that the best you can do?
King George VI: Well... bloody bugger to you, you beastly bastard.
Lionel Logue: Oh, a public school prig could do better than that.
King George VI: Shit. Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit!
Lionel Logue: Yes!
King George VI: Shit!
Lionel Logue: Defecation flows trippingly from the tongue!
King George VI: Because I'm angry!
Lionel Logue: Do you know the f-word?
King George VI: F... f... fornication?
Lionel Logue: Oh, Bertie.
King George VI: Fuck. Fuck! Fuck, fuck, fuck and fuck! Fuck, fuck and bugger! Bugger, bugger, buggerty buggerty buggerty, fuck, fuck, arse!
Lionel Logue: Yes...
King George VI: Balls, balls...
Lionel Logue: ...you see, not a hesitation!
King George VI: ...fuckity, shit, shit, fuck and willy. Willy, shit and fuck and... tits.

     Although the British humor is a high point I think what works so well I think the thing that really makes this film work (outside of the amazing score) is the cast.

     King George VI is played by Colin Firth (Perhaps best known as "that guy" from those terrible Renee Zellweger movies) he was okay in the role, perhaps the fact it wasn't written for him and he was visibly older than all the other actors including his "older" brother Prince David played by Guy Pearce (Memento, The Hurt Locker). This film was carried by the 2 main supporting roles the one of King George VI wife played by Helena Bonham Carter (Fight Club, Harry Potter) and that of Lionel Logue played by Geoffrey Rush (Pirates Of The Caribbean, Shine). Their charisma and acting chops outshine all the other actors (And Dumbledore was in this movie!) while not making them seem so miniscule and unimportant.

     Now this film will not be for everyone but if you enjoy period pieces and british humour I would go out and rent it now, if you don't think it's your cup of tea (see what I did there?) but are still intrigued I'd keep an eye out for it on cable and PVR it, I myself wouldn't go out and purchase the film, but it should definitely be watched at least once in a lifetime and I certainly won't be turning the channel if it comes on TV... Unless something better is on.