The Kings Speech – at cinemas now

Tom Hoopers multi award winning Kings Speech, based on the true story of King George VI who upon his brothers abdication is required to take to the throne and rally the British Empire at the beginning of the second world war. The problem is ‘Bertie’ has a stammer and cannot even speak to his family without stammering – how is he going to conquer the wireless.

Its difficult to go into watch this film without the weight of expectation that the hype and publicity has brought it. Is it really that good? Is Colin Firth that good? How can a story based on not too distant history about the Royal Family evoke any sympathy in 2011? The answer to these questions is yes it can, due to an amazing performance from Firth supported by the best British cast (excluding Rush) this side of Harry Potter and a great, subtle script.

I suppose this is the type of filmmaking that the British excel at – a period piece with and ensemble task on a subject that on paper shouldn’t really work but in reality does. Im no fan of the Royals – no siree, but the film, using Logue as the voice of the common man slowly pokes fun out of the institution and even the King himself voices how restraining and confining being in the ‘firm’ can be. Its in Firths performance, though that you see the restraint, duty, pressure and weight of expectation of a man placed in a role that he feels wholly unprepared for. He deserves every award that he wins.

Hold on the cynicism it’s a must see.

Director: Tom Hooper 

Cast:

Colin Firth                        King George VI 'Bertie'
Helena Bonham Carter  Queen Elizabeth
Geoffrey Rush                  Lionel Logue
Jennifer Ehle                    Myrtle Logue
Derek Jacobi                   Archbishop Cosmo Lang