Dir: Tom Hooper Cast: Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham-Carter
THE KING'S SPEECH
A; Drama
Dir: Tom Hooper
Cast: Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham-Carter
Rating: ****
WHAT'S IT ABOUT: After a slice-of-life with reigning Brit monarch Queen Elizabeth II in The Queen, another UK film that depicts her father Albert, Duke of York (later, George VI, king of England) struggling with a speech impediment, makes its way to our shores.
Only thing is, this film is as much about the former king as it is about his personal saviour, Lionel Logue (Rush). The story begins sometime in the late 1930s/early 1940s. George V isn't getting any younger and it doesn't escape him that despite the privilege royalty by birth accords him, he has duties to fulfil. Duties dictated by Parliament.
Duties and responsibilities that must fall to his heirs after his passing. While Edward, the eldest, is the popular one, he's also something of a playboy, with his biggest indiscretion being his dalliance with Wallis Simpson, a US citizen and a twice-divorced woman. Image is everything and therefore, Ed must abdicate, leaving a reluctant Albert aka Bertie (Firth) to warm the vacant throne.
Albert would make a fine king. It's just that the bloke is a stammerer. Not even a loving wife's (Bonham-Carter) constant encouragement and perseverance can get the condition under control. All that changes when she finds Logue and the king's treatment begins and progress in noted. The already fragile relationship between the doctor (albeit, unqualified) and patient gets soured when Logue takes the liberty to point out that Bertie should aspire to be king, given his brother's disreputable leanings.
Of course, in time, duty beckons and speeches have to be made, so Logue is called back into service. This time around, Albert is king of England and the therapist has to be more discreet than ever. In due course, the king is able to let go of his fears and overcome them for the most part.
WHAT'S HOT: Film adaptations are great levelers. It isn't often that you see the all-too-human face of royalty. If you disagree, you just have to see how many royal biographies actually make it to the bestseller list to know that the curiosity factor is high. And often, entertaining anecdotes make for great features. If Stephen Frears got Helen Mirren off the fringes and into the spotlight, Tom Hooper gets Firth firmly in the crosshairs and compels you to empathise with the character he plays. Bertie is strong-willed yet constantly fights a losing battle against depression and is often afraid of his own voice. He is a loving father to his daughters (something his father never was to him) and a caring husband. Those are traits one rarely finds in monarchy.
The film itself is well-researched. And if you can get your hands on it, I suggest you also see The Real King's Speech, a Channel4 production. You will appreciate the performances by most of the actors and the attention to detailsu00a0-- sets, costuming and dialogues.
The film has you punch thin air even with the smallest of Bertie's victories. Everyone loves an underdog story. So what if the guy is a titular king to an empire? And you just gotta love when Firth starts swearing sans the stammers. Coupled with Helena Bonham-Carter's measured role as the Duchess of York, it makes for a well-rounded ensemble performance. However, it is Geoffrey Rush's solid, consistent act that takes your breath away
WHAT'S NOT: While there is little to fault TKS on, there are a few historical inaccuracies. Also, it is important to understand that while Logue's contribution to helping the former monarch find his voice is immense, he didn't actually cure them. The film fails to stress on that and instead, concentrates on the dosti between 'teacher' and 'student'. And for someone who's so used to seeing Helena go all quirky, it is a bit of a downer to see her go the opposite direction. Of course, that's not to take away anything from her splendid act.
WHAT TO DO? This one is a can't-miss. Look past the Oscar statuettes and you will still fall in love with the film.
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