Film "The King's Speech" (2010)

[Bob Pr.]

"The King's Speech" (2010) 118 min. Rated "R" (for brief language use in one speech therapy session).

95/95% critics/audience % approval on "Rotten Tomatoes:" The King's Speech Movie Reviews, Pictures - Rotten Tomatoes

Currently rated 101 of the all-time best 250 films ever on IMDb: The King's Speech (2010) - IMDb

Rated 4/4 stars by Roger Ebert: The King's Speech :: rogerebert.com :: Reviews

Starring Colin Firth (as Bertie/King George VI), Helena Bonham Carter (as his wife), Geoffrey Rush (as Lionel Logue, his speech therapist), Guy Pearce (as his older brother, David/King Edward VIII/Duke of Windsor).

The narrative imagines the private and public lives of British royalty and the government in the 1920s-1940s era. Some events and situations are public knowledge: that when King George V died, he was briefly followed by his eldest son ('David,' Edward VIII, Duke of Windsor) who then abdicated within a year to marry a divorced American commoner, Wallis Simpson, "the woman I love," and that he was succeeded by his next younger brother, Bertie/George VI, who had long standing speech problems (stuttering, stammering). And that an Australian speech therapist, Logue, helped him largely overcome that to the extent the King was able to effectively address his empire through the trying times of WW II.

The movie takes some relatively minor (IMO) liberties with historical accuracy for the sake of spinning a more interesting story. It imagines and presumes much of the private lives and motivations of the royal family and presents them sympathetically. The growing wedge between Bertie (+ the rest of the royal family and government) and David/Duke of Windsor uses a little imagination and many known facts.

The success of Logue's speech therapy is very clear from pre- and post-treatment newsreels of that era. BUT that it was achieved by Logue being so provocatively teasing and taunting of Bertie seems to have been wholly invented in this movie to spice up and dramatize their therapy relationship; e.g., it's not in Logue's grandson's book about Logue and his relationship with the royal family (based on Logue's own notes!)--or any other reports about their relationship I've seen.

But TKS spins a great, compelling story--weaving together history, crisis, royal family, a crippling handicap, a therapeutic relationship and growth. Most people describe it as being very uplifting and I agree.

I give it 10 of 10 stars.

ETA-1: Nominated for 12 Oscars including best picture, director, actor, supporting actor & actress. Winner, the Producer's Guild Award for best picture & a Golden Globe for best actor. IMO, also a strong contender for a lasting place on IMDb's list of all-time best 250 films ever, despite no chase, sex, or battle scenes--or any letting of blood !!

ETA-2: A long interview with the principle writer, himself a former stutterer, on the development of the play which led to the movie: YouTube - Interview: The King's Speech writer David Seidler

[JosephineS]

I agree 10 out of 10. One of the best movies I have seen, very moving.
It might have been helped by the fact that I sat in the most comfortable cinema seats I have ever sat in, just like armchairs. If anyone ever goes to Inverness on holiday do visit the cinema at Eden Court Theatre. I live just outside Inverness and this is the first time I have been to this cinema, although I have been to the theatre many times.

[CindersMyGirl]

I've heard it was a wonderful movie. I can't wait until it's on DVD.

[Retriever Mama]

I LOVED this movie. (Of course I would watch Colin Firth read a phonebook, but...) Fantastic performances all around. I can't imagine anything harder for an actor to achieve that a believable speech impediment. Phenomenal job.

And the swearing scene...nearly peed my pants!

[shammy]

I LOVED this movie. (Of course I would watch Colin Firth read a phonebook, but...) Fantastic performances all around. I can't imagine anything harder for an actor to achieve that a believable speech impediment. Phenomenal job.

And the swearing scene...nearly peed my pants!

Thought this movie was TOTALLYYYYYYYYYYY AWESOMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

Check it out: The King's Speech - Official Site