When you are bolstered in the lime light for the entirety of you're life, you would seem to hold people's opinions very seriously and highly in you're life, or maybe you would run you're life around what people think? Insecurity would be a must if you're a royal. King George the VI was the man that brought the world together in midst of the darkest time in our recent history, the rise of Hitler, he had a strong voice and will that brought his kingdom together and united them against evil. Where this movie begins isn't very heroic at all, it's actually very pathetic, and we get a slight whiff of what this movie has to offer. Empathy is charged through the theatre, as well as pity and discouragement, but one must rise from the ashes.
Colin Firth, what does that name mean to you? Not only is Colin a british bread actor but he is one of those handsome devils that was always in that random role, in that random romantic comedy, until a breakout role in "A Single Man." I have yet to see this movie but he received huge nods for his role in this film, he always received a nomination. Now sometimes an actor gets nominated then disappears, or picks crap material, a swing and a miss I guess you can say. Colin Firth picked "The Kings Speech" and he drives this movie. Not only does he swing, he hits a grand slam, and has made the performance of his career. Little did we know the confident "voice of Britain" had a stammering problem, and a big one. It's almost awkward and uncomfortable to watch Firth spit out what he's trying to say; it's an eye opening experience. As the movie digs on, we dig deeper into what this movie is really about, the human conditioning and how we can lose sight of our confidence and self importance. Geoffrey Rush plays Lionel, the man who teaches the king how to give a confident and wonderful speech, but he also becomes his only close friend. Rush gives the performance of his lustrous career, and that is saying a lot. He plays Lionel with a sharp wit and determination, he's blunt, sarcastic but also very sweet and empathetic. He is the only man that ever knew King George the VI's struggles and heartaches within his family. Helena Bonham Carter plays the queen, she has such a sweet presence but also isn't afraid to let people know she is royalty. If she wasn't queen she would be the sweetest housewife. The support she gives her husband is amazing, the scene when she's talking about his stammering as King George breaks down, she instills a confidence in her husband. Guy Pierce plays King David, the brother filled with controversy, and he is so good at playing the idiot brother, he was also a wonderful support to this film. But this film belongs to two men, Geoffrey Rush and Colin Firth.
This film is about a lot of things, perseverance, self confidence and those personal demons that haunt us for life. The writing of this film is so elegant and thoughtful, it's fit for a king, but at the same time it's blunt and rash just like Lionel himself. This is also a comedy, the laughter and humanity that gripped the king's heart is moving and inspiring. The friendship between these two men is also inspiring and heart warming. The power in this movie is unspeakable, it really doesn't show it off either. It sneaks up on you and attacks you're heart, it's persistent but not overbearing, it's in the little dialogue scenes when the actors deliver their lines perfectly and breathe life into this film, the audience starts to really connect with these two men, as Lionel never treats the king more than a normal person, the king slowly takes liking to this. The filming focuses on the dialogue, not the sweeping sets, or the epic downtown and the rise of Hitler. It sits, with Firth in the corner of the screen, waiting for him to stammer out a sentence. It's in this patience that makes the film so powerful and so wonderful. Firth eats up the limelight so well it's uncanny what he does with his character, he is a brilliant actor. The camerawork is absolutely stunning in this film, it has an elegance and beauty to it. The one set of Lionel's office where he treats his patients is breathtaking, the room has vintage furniture, a playback record player and old style wallpaper that I can't explain. This is where the king is healed, it's a beauty to look at as well as a perfect place for the king to spew about his personal life, absolutely perfect.
This movie is filled with humanity. A movie about a friendship, self sacrifice and finding oneself's identity. It's also a movie about a man who doesn't think highly of himself, that is until he meets his best friend that makes him worth something. It's a movie that shows us that people are so important in our lives no matter who we are, if we are just the normal person or royalty. It's message speaks so simply yet so profoundly, Firth and Rush are just perfect, they compliment each other so well and watching these two characters interact is such a joy to watch. This film is perfect and sure to win, want to be inspired? Go and watch this film, now.
