The King's Speech

Vlad Piranha · Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2011 9:33 pm Post subject: The King's Speech

This isn't the easiest film to locate in theaters. I made a drive into the Minneapolis suburbs to find a theater showing it. It was well worth it.

The King's Speech is the true story of Albert Frederick Arthur George, the man who would become King George VI of Britain and his struggle with a severe stammer. The film takes place in the second half of the 1930s. King George V is sick and old and the time is approaching when his son David will assume his role as King. Groomed his whole life to be his father's successor, David is handsome, charming and carries a commanding presence, but is more concerned with his romantic pursuits with a twice divorced American socialite. As the head of the Anglican church, he cannot marry such a woman and retain his position as king. When faced with the choice, he abdicates his throne and leaves his brother Albert to take his place on the throne.

While he has a strong sense of duty and tradition, Albert suffers from a terrible stammer that has always crippled his ability to serve as a public speaker. Meanwhile, his family's friend, Winston Churchill, warns of a very eloquent and dangerous speaker rising to power in Germany and the seemingly inevitable war approaching. The impossible thought of him being a strong leader and charismatic speaker during a war further frightens Albert and he desperately seeks out the best speech therapist he can find. He finds himself at the mercy of Lionel Logue, an eccentric but brilliant therapist who befriends him and helps him overcome his impediment and the inner demons that drive it.

The film is part history lesson and part Good Will Hunting. What you get in the end is a film that is artistic and yet very enjoyable. When was the last time that an 'art house' film could be described as a 'feel good movie'? It was a welcome paradox as I thought about the movie all day today and would really like to see it a second time. This film easily gets four stars from me. Do yourselves a favor and catch a matinee of it. It just may win a shiny statuette this year.

theboomboom · Posted: Mon Feb 28, 2011 1:44 am Post subject:

I saw this movie a couple weeks back, its really a good one. You leave the theater with a smile Smile

My only biff with it is who they picked to play Winston Churchill... for cryin out loud, the last movie I saw that guy in, he was bitch to a bald-headed demon. Sounds like it did well at the academy awards too.
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