Speechless.

I finally got around to seeing The King’s Speech, you know that apparently brilliant piece of cinema everyone’s talking about? Well I can confidently report back to you that it is indeed brilliant! I was quite happy about that, as after all the hype that surrounds movies these days, I usually expect to be disappointed somewhat by them.

But that’s certainly not the case with this one. This historical drama really is as enjoyable a watch as it is an interesting one. I really like these kind of movies; true stories that are linked in with history, and I enjoyed this one a lot.

Set in pre-war Britain, the film is about Prince George VI’s rise to the throne and the struggles he finds along the way because of his unfortunate stammer. George, known as ‘Bertie’ throughout the film, desperately wants to rid himself of his stammer and tries every method going but to no avail.

The film starts with Bertie, played by Colin Firth, giving a speech to a large crowd at Wembley. Unfortunately the occasion gets the better of him and he struggles to get his words out. The crowd stare at him in silence, waiting to hear his speech. It never takes off.

That’s one thing I do like about this film. Whenever there’s a scene where Bertie unfortunately fails to deliver a speech, we’re not left there staring at him like everyone else, the movie simply cuts to the next scene after a while. It doesn’t draw on it too much, I can imagine other directors would have chosen to really drag these scenes out for all their worth but this director, Tom Hooper, doesn’t do so. He treats the audience with respect, we know the awkwardness of the situation, we don’t need it beaten into our skulls just incase we didn’t!

I should probably let you know there may be some spoilers up ahead.

So yes, in the beginning there was a King, George V; a first born prince, Edward, and another Prince, Bertie. As the movie progresses we get to see the relationship between the three move along too. King George is ruler, and he knows Edward will be set to succeed him. However he also knows Edward is a bit of a rogue who seems to be playing by his own rules, and sleeping with a married woman or two, how ultimately vulgar! Knowing this King George wants the more sensible Bertie to ultimately take the throne.

Bertie knows he isn’t first in line to become King, and for that he is grateful as he dreads the very idea of becoming King, on the simple basis of his stammer getting in the way of his royal duties. However this doesn’t stop King George from preparing him for the throne, or at least the duties of it. Our first meeting of George we see him delivering his Christmas speech while Bertie watches on. Once he has done he tells Bertie to try, for practice. Bertie tries but stammers and George proceeds to shout wildly at him. Which obviously doest work. King George does come across as a bit of a bully, and one of the reasons behind the stammer. Also he’s played by Michael Gambon, I kid you not.

Bertie continues to try and beat his stammer but gives up. It’s his wife, played by Helena Bonham Carter, who convinces him to try again. She seeks out upon recommendation an unorthodox Aussie speech therapist named Lionel Logue, played by Geoffrey Rush. She meets with him to arrange an appointment, Lionel doesn’t recognise her so therefore doesn’t know who her husband is. He agrees to help Bertie but says he will need to attend his office. Something that is frowned upon at first.

Bertie does end up at Lionel’s office for a session, much against his better judgement. When they first meet Lionel insists Bertie calls him Lionel instead of Doctor, and he address him with Bertie, instead of Your Highness. This is what I really liked about Lionel, he sees everyone on a level playing field, rather than in social classes. He attempts to break up the social class system, and he does so. Bertie and Lionel become good friends, as unlikely as that sounds. They are equals, and they see each other as equals. Not as King and subject, but as friends.

During the film we see Lionel try to break into acting. Drama and literature appear to be his main passions in life. However he cant break into the acting scene, and it’s probably to do with his social standing. He has seen first hand the prejudices that exist in the world, so he addresses them head on, treating a royal as if he were his mate.

The movie moves along at just the right pace, Bertie continues his sessions with Lionel as we get to see his relationships with his family, mainly his father, the King, and his soon to be king brother, Edward. At first his relationship with his brother is quite good, they seem to enjoy each others company but it soon deteriorates once George dies and Edward is thrust into power. He continues in his rebellious streak, doing what he likes and going against the rules of the crown.

Even through all of this Bertie respects his brother as King, even falling out with Lionel over the issue. However for the first time in the history of the royal family, Edward abdicates the throne leaving Bertie in charge all of a sudden. Because of this Bertie has a bit of a breakdown, saying he isn’t good enough to be the King. Step in his wife again to help him through and Lionel to inject confidence into him.

It is in one of the best scenes in the movie where Bertie, the soon to be crowned King of England, drops in for a chat with his mate Bertie. It’s just brilliant, the way the King of England just has a man-to-man chat with his friend: commoner, Lionel Logue. It takes society, especially the pre-war society of the 1930s, and just smashes it up with a sceptre! During this scene Bertie really opens up to Lionel about his past, laying it all out for all to see. It’s this level of trust they have that ultimately makes you appreciate their friendship. All the while, Bertie builds a modal aeroplane, something he has never been allowed to do, it just makes the scene so normal, they really are just two people of the same standing.

There’s another brilliant scene later on in the movie where Bertie and his wife show up for a session at Lional’s house. Elizabeth sits in the dining area while Bertie and Lionel start the session. Whilst all this happens, Lionel’s wife returns to find the Queen of England in her dining room. As you do. Her reaction is great, but Lionel’s is simply hilarious! He panics and hides behind the door as he’s not told his wife the identity of his client. Now the shoe is on the other foot, as Bernie calls him a coward, something Lionel agrees with. The look on Myrtle Logue’s face when introduced to King George VI is worth the price of admission alone.

It’s moments like this that stick out, this movie is actually pretty funny at times. The script is written so well that the comedy involved just flows out, instead of feeling forced. What must have been difficult though, is Colin Firth’s job. Playing this character must have been his hardest role yet. Just delivering the lines alone would have been hard. I’ll bet he left the set with a stammer by the end of it! He does it so well though, his delivery is top-notch, and you end up genuinely feeling for him.

I think everyone can relate to him in some way. It doesn’t have to be a speech impediment, it just represents something, however big or small, that gets in the way of life and stops you from doing what you want to do, however simple it may be. I think this may be why people connect so well to Bertie, well that and Colin Firth’s performance.

On the performances, I’m actually really thrilled Colin Firth is doing these movies now. No longer typecasted to be in those annoying British rom-coms that are churned out year in year out. Usually the actors within them get tired and end up stuck in them forever, doomed to deliver cheesy one-liners for the rest of their days. Yes, I’m looking at you Hugh Grant!

Another great performance is that of Helena Bonham Carter. It’s really good to see her in such a ‘normal’ role. Usually she plays quirky characters, which she’s good at, heck she lives with one, but this time round she’s a really civil, and prim princess, and she’s good at it. I found her very refreshing. The same goes for Geoffrey Rush, a great actor doing what he does best.

The final scene, in which Bertie delivers his first war speech, outlining the reasons why Britain is at war with Germany, we see Bertie, together with Lionel, in all his glory. This is what it was all for in the end. He stands there with his microphone and delivers the speech almost perfectly, with Lionel helping him as he goes along. What I did like as well is the fact that the whole speech was shown, from start to finish, something other directors would not have done. Kudos again to Hooper.

The King’s Speech is up for 12 Oscars. Colin Firth is in the Best Actor category and I really hope he wins. I’ve not seen True Grit yet, but Jeff Bridges will do well to beat Firth’s performance in this, he is simply brilliant. I think Bridges will get it though, due to being a) American and b) Jeff Bridges. Ah well, the poor Brits will no doubt be suffering again. Ah well there’s always the BAFTAs.

Overall The King’s Speech is as entertaining as it is interesting. If you’re into historical dramas like me then you’ll love it to bits. It’s even got Churchill in it for crying out loud. Once this movie is over, you realise just how important this story is. King George VI was the voice of Britain during the war, the people looked to him for inspiration. Without the speeches it wouldn’t have been there.

I’d say it left me lost for words, but that would clearly be a lie as I’ve written the longest blog ever on it….

Final Verdict: 5 Stars.