The King's Speech (2010)

In a little over a week, the current British monarch, Queen Elizabeth II will have reigned over the United Kingdom for 59 years. For many of us, she's the only British monarch we've ever known. Within the next decade or two we will most likely see a new king take the British throne. In Tom Hooper's critically acclaimed, “The King's Speech,” we take a look at the struggles of Elizabeth's father, King George VI. Born Albert Frederick Arthur George, “Bertie,” as he was called by his wife and those closest to him, had a very severe stuttering problem. In an age of radio, and at a time when his country was about to be thrust into another world conflict, this speech impediment posed a rather large problem for a man who was never meant to be king.

Being born the second son of King George V(Michael Gambon), Albert was never meant to be king. His older brother Edward (Guy Pearce), was a much better speaker. However, less than a year after his father's death, King Edward abdicated the throne to marry the American Wallis Simpson, thus making Albert, King George VI. It didn't seem as though Albert's speech impediment was a national secret. As a royal prince, he had had to make public appearances and speeches, and the movie shows one or two of them. They are painful to watch and listen to. Speech impediments are often some of the most pitiable ailments to me. 

 The story of course focuses on the relationship between Albert(Colin Firth) and Australian speech therapist Lionel Logue(Geoffrey Rush).  Grudgingly brought to Logue's office by his wife, Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon (Helena Bonham Carter), Albert does not believe that Logue holds any real answers. After listening to a recording of himself reciting Hamlet while listening to loud music, he realizes that perhaps Logue's methods can indeed help. Logue decidedly treats Albert just like any other person, even going so far as to calling him by his nickname. As it often happens, Albert's speech impediment while curable also has a psychological foundation which needs to be dealt with. While trying to get at those deeper issues, Lionel comes up with some humorous and apparently effective techniques with which to combat the stuttering. One interesting method concerns the use of many different expletives as a way to focus the speaker. The many uses of the f-word although in a therapeutic context, is the only thing that led to the 'R' rating.

The movie follows Logue's work with Albert up to and through the coronation, and the climax comes when Albert is required to give a radio message to his subjects concerning England's entrance into the second World War. One of the most fascinating features of British government, the King holds no real power and and yet serves as the one uniting figure for the entire kingdom. To have that kind of pressure  while on the brink of war with Germany, there's no question that the speech is very important.

All of his life, Albert lived in the shadow of his older brother. It was not only the speech impediment that got in the way of finding his voice. A king needs to be able to rouse his people to action. History tells us that of course Albert found his voice, and indeed he roused his people to action. England faced nearly daily bombings from Germany during WWII, and their survival and general morale remained intact due, I'm sure in no small way by the leadership of King George VI.

It's true that I'm a sucker for the British monarchy. Recently a string of incredibly well made films about female British monarchs have come out in “Elizabeth”(1998), “Elizabeth: The Golden Age”(2007), “The Young Victoria”(2009), and “The Queen”(2006). All of those movies were excellent in my opinion. This movie both extends this tradition and serves as a uniquely excellent addition to it.

It's actually kind of difficult to write a review about a movie like this without reverting too much to the actual history behind it. The fact is, I'm sure the real story behind this movie is just as impelling as the movie itself.

I think it's very safe to say that this movie is quite possibly the best of 2010. The acting is superb, the story is excellent. There is not much wrong with this movie other than the fact that many will probably find it boring. “The King's Speech,” is about the power of words and of finding ones voice. Colin Firth should win an Oscar for his performance, and the movie should win an Oscar for Best picture. I will be very disappointed if either of them fail to do so. 

10/10