Directed by:
Tom HooperScreenplay:
David SeidlerCinematography:
Danny CohenComposer:
Alexandre DesplatCast:
Colin Firth, Helena Bonham Carter, Derek Jacobi, Geoffrey Rush, Richard Dixon, Jennifer Ehle, Ramona Marquez, David Bamber, Michael Gambon, Guy Pearce (more)VOD (5)
Plots(1)
After the death of his father King George V (Michael Gambon) and the scandalous abdication of King Edward VIII (Guy Pearce), Bertie (Colin Firth) who has suffered from a debilitating speech impediment all his life, is suddenly crowned King George VI of England. With his country on the brink of war and in desperate need of a leader, his wife, Elizabeth (Helena Bonham Carter), the future Queen Mother, arranges for her husband to see an eccentric speech therapist, Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush). After a rough start, the two delve into an unorthodox course of treatment and eventually form an unbreakable bond. With the support of Logue, his family, his government and Winston Churchill (Timothy Spall), the King will overcome his stammer and deliver a radio-address that inspires his people and unites them in battle. Based on the true story of King George VI, THE KING'S SPEECH follows the Royal Monarch's quest to find his voice. (official distributor synopsis)
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Reviews (12)
A cultured speech therapy drama about the power of the voice and the imaginary status of a king. A wonderfully blissful play of static semi-details, mannerist textures and refined interiors, against which the chaotic wallpaper of Dr. Logue proudly stands out, who understands that the king is king above all when his subjects believe him. And in the 1930s, they can trust his voice above all. It's all a typical Rocky template about an outsider who climbed to the top, even though no one believed in him. Even with its sensitively stylizing representation of history, it is the equivalent of the excellent drama Frost/Nixon. An acting concert, from Colin Firth's stressed-out creation to Helen Bonham Carter's light-legged ballet. Maybe over-modified, but I like it... more than a handsome, gelled Fincher mop of hair.
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A film for which I didn't mind the expected plot development, the touching ending, and the overall almost violent "you're watching an Oscar movie, so a bit of respect bloody hell" vibe. Firth is divine, Carter is divine, Rush is divine, the cinematography is divine (pleasing even for a conversational film, imaginative use of steadycam), the script is divine, the ending is exactly as it should be, and the heaps of euphemisms that make up the English upper class vocabulary are hilarious without even needing to be pointed out. I'd still be more in favor of Oscars for Black Swan, though, because my sensibilities have always been closer to films that aren't afraid to experiment.
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Behind every great man there is not always only a woman, but in the case of King George VI, a man, and perhaps a voice specialist. The King's Speech is a parade of fine performances from the (until now overlooked) Colin Firth, to the lovely Helena Bonham Carter, to the masterful Geoffrey Rush, who (for me personally) doesn't disappoint. I must also not forget the supporting but still great actors like Timothy Spall and Michael Gambon. Firth really gives a heartfelt performance and I believe his stuttering and swearing to the core. Alexandre Desplat's music also did its job and evoked the atmosphere of Great Britain in the first half of the last century perfectly. The cinematography was charming, as was the script peppered with classic British humour. In short, a film that was my cup of tea despite a few slight bumps, and while it may not be up there for film of the year, I'm still intoxicated.
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A very enjoyable intimate drama about real issues against the backdrop of historical events. The cast is great, of course, but in a way too much so, because each of the main three characters is such a distinct actor that they overshadow their characters. The set design also has no major flaws, which is good, although that’s almost a given nowadays.
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Very pleasant period piece. A series of speech therapy sessions is not an ideal premise for the silver screen, but they managed to turn it into a remarkable result. Colin Firth excels in the role of an uncertain stuttering king and his performance is undoubtedly Oscar-worthy, he feels very sincere and uncynical, unlike the rest of the film. The titular “king’s speech” at the end really got me. 9/10
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Gallery (124)
Photo © Speaking Film Productions Ltd 2010 / Laurie Sparham
![The King's Speech - Photos - Geoffrey Rush, Colin Firth, Helena Bonham Carter](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w663/files/images/film/photos/000/323/323858_f4ed11.jpg)
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