Director: Tom Hooper
Starring: Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter
‘A Magnificent Historical Masterpiece’
Not many actors in Hollywood have produced movies that are worth talking about like Colin Firth. Ever since his rise to stardom during the 1990’s, Firth has become a beloved in the film industry. Whether it’s majestic political leaders, grieving gay lovers or spies facing danger, the actor has portrayed many strong characters. Arguably, Firth’s greatest strength as an actor is his commitment. He is one of those talented actors that has poured his heart and soul into each and every role. Firth has never been the least bit afraid of taking risks in his career by playing complex characters which aren’t often likeable. A beloved British icon that has been able to accomplish fantastic movies, Firth has become an actor audiences cherish. Through his abilities to portray larger than life heroes which are compelling, Firth has built a legacy that’s lasting. Throughout his enduring career, the actor has appeared in several memorable movies which are definitely worth taking about without a doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Firth and admire all the films that he has made in his career. However, “The King’s Speech” is my favourite. Released back in 2010, Tom Hooper’s movie offered a strong tribute towards King George VI and his legacy. Packed with breathtaking production design, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best films ever made about the royal family. At the genre of it all is a fantastic performance by Colin Firth, who embodies a majestic king with severe speech impediment. Ultimately, what makes “The King’s Speech” a masterpiece is universal appeal. Unlike most films about the royal family, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with British history to appreciate it. A captivating masterpiece about the royal family, there are several reasons why “The King’s Speech” is a movie which is worth watching.
Set in 1920’s Britain, “The King’s Speech” tells the true story of a king that overcome speech impediments in history. Colin Firth plays King George VI, a majestic king with severe speech impediments. After his brother leaves a throne, George VI is given the responsibilities to be a kind that’s well known. Under intense pressure, George VI struggles to cope with debilitating speech disorder putting his reputation in grave danger. However, George VI’s life dramatically changes when is guided by a therapist which helps him with a grave speech disorder. Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush) is a talented therapist with a skill for resolving the painful issues of speech impediments. Assisted by Lionel, King George VI embarks on a commemroated journey to resolve his speech disability. As he seeks to prepare one of the most important speeches in the history of Britain, George VI begins to question if he has what it takes to guide his nation. Faced with a dilemma that’s frightening, George VI starts to question whether he can possibly be a successful king.
Tom Hooper is fascinated with lives of Royal family figures. A renowned British director, Hooper has made great movies about the royal family that face disaster. His awards-winning movie “Elizabeth I” offered a strong glimpse at the life of a majestic queen that seeks authority. With “The King’s Speech”, however, he created his first historical drama. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the life of a majestic king with a stammer but he succeeds immensely. Using captivating cinematography, Hooper captures tensions faced by a king with severe speech disability causing tragedy. Hooper successfully uses montages to capture the life of majestic king seeking to overcome a speech disability. For instance, montages elevate the tense speech therapy scene. During this memorable scene, King George VI participates in an exhilarating speech therapy session amongst Lionel. One admires montages capturing the hardships of kings with speech impediments. Montages are tricky techniques to use in movies. As Richard Curtis’ “Love Actually” suggested, montages elevate romantic comedies. Nevertheless, it works in this movie. Through stunning visuals. Hooper captures hardships that kings which suffer from severe speech impediments are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “King’s Speech” that deserves appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Hooper expertly uses production design to capture lives of kings whose speeches decline. Throughout the movie, Lionel’s apartment plays a powerful role in showcasing the struggles faced by kings with severe speech impediments. For instance, the apartment location elevates the speech therapy scene. During this memorable scene, Lionel gives King George VI tips on how to cope with his speech disability. One admires production capturing the lives of kings which face tension. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. Alexandre Desplat’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie a tense atmosphere capturing the burden that kings suffering painful speech disabilities bear. Through powerful production-design, Hooper captures the lives of kings which experience a decline.
Storytelling is one of the primary reasons why “The King’s Speech” is a captivating classic which is compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and expertly uses silence to capture the lives of kings with speech disabilities that face tension. Throughout the movie, Hooper effectively uses silence to capture the lives of majestic kings enduring tension. For instance, silence elevates the nervous breakdown scene. During this unforgettable scene, King George VI has a nervous breakdown questioning if it’s possible for him to deliver a speech. Through this ingenious silence, Hooper captures tense hardships that kinds with speech impediments go through. Silence is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Steven Spielberg’s “Schindler’s List” suggested, silence enhances historical ancient dramas about the Holocaust. Anthony Minghella’s “The English Patient” suggested that silence elevates WWII movies. However, it works immensely in this movie. Through a bold screenplay, Hooper captures the ha rdships of majestic kings which experience a painful price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Colin Firth delivers one of his fines career performances as King George VI. Firth first achieved appreciation for playing romantic heroines in period pieces. With “The King’s Speech”, however, he took on his most sad role. It isn’t easy to portray a king suffering from severe speech disabilities in history but Firth succeeded immensely. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most iconic role. Forth has always had an aptitude playing strong characters in positions of power, and “The King’s Speech” showcased his strength as an actor. With mesmerizing expressions, he captures the angst, grief and trauma of a king with severe speech impediments. It’s a terrific performance from one of the most celebrated actors today.
Geoffrey Rush is remarkable as a dedicated speech therapist assisting kings with painful speech disability. While Firth gets the showier role, Rush is also amazing as a therapist that seeks to help kings with disabilities. As Lionel Logue, Rush created one of the most iconic therapists in cinematic history. Whether he is assisting King George VI or struggling to cope with a speech disability that’s terrifying, Rush uses stunning body language to create a character there compelling. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most celebrated actors today.
Lastly, Helena Bonham Carter is worthy of appreciation. As the King’s concerned wife, she brings heartfelt emotion to the move.
Finally, “The King’s Speech” will earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing the lives of kings with poor speech. Unlike most movies about speech disabilities, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. Viewers don’t need to fans of British history to appreciate it. It discusses strong themes including identity, disabilities and trauma which would resonate with everyone. Therefore, “The King’s Speech” is one of those rare period pieces which everyone would adore.
Fans of Colin Firth will definitely appreciate “The King’s Speech” and so will audiences seeking educational entertainment. An iconic historical biopic, it honours an actor that has built a legacy that’s fantastic.
Nearly 20 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about majestic kings overcoming frightening speech impediments to deliver speeches that are inspiring, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has built a lasting legacy earning a huge fan following for his abilities to portray larger-than-life characters which are compelling in commemorated movies which are definitely without a single doubt worth celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 