The King's Speech

    I first watched The King's Speech when it came out in the cinema - unusually for me, at least back then, I even watched it twice on the big screen - and it thoroughly delighted me. Having now seen it yet again at home, I love it perhaps even more than that first time.

    It is an exquisitely well-made film, care and attention exuding from every detail. A story of kings and war and trauma, it would be easy to think it grandiose but no, it is in its essence small and contained. Which only makes the story more powerful. I firmly believe that one of the purposes of art, any art, is to shed light on what makes us human and that can often come through showing the importance of the little things. This is such a tale: a man with a speech impediment who lives in dread of public speaking. The vast majority of us are not royalty, nor will many have to lead a nation through war, but we all have moments of terror that render us incapable of the action that would allay that very fear. And thus we all recognise Bertie's panic upon facing a microphone.

    But a strong story alone does not a good film make. The King's Speech is beautifully written, be it in the way it uses language to individualise characters, be it in the wry humour that permeates even the most difficult scenes. And also its glorious use of the unexpected and absurd (I mean, were YOU expecting to watch a future king do a soliloquy of profanity when you sat down?!). Even the soundtrack, an element that can often make or break a film for me, is spot on, its use of classical pieces sublime (yes, alright, I was swooned early on when Mozart's Ouverture for the Marriage of Figaro came on!). The directing is masterful, cleverly using stranger camera angles to convey Bertie's feelings, and often by simply letting the actors be. And why wouldn't you?

    The acting is extraordinary across the board and the casting inspired; I mean, where to start?? From acting royalty Derek Jacobi as the slightly unctuous archbishop, to Timothy Spall as the gruff yet twinkle-eyed Churchill, the supporting cast brings depth to every moment. Helena Bonham-Carter manages to convey the heartbreak Elizabeth tries to hide every time Bertie trips whilst never faltering in her support. And who here wasn't absolutely tickled pink by her scene with Logue's wife (Jennifer Ehle)?

    Geoffrey Rush is remarkable in his portrayal of Logue. As a teacher, I could see myself in the way he was firm to be kind, how he walks through every single word of the titular speech with Bertie and at the end, beaming with pride, still points out the small mistakes. Or the play of subtle expression when Bertie finally opens up and Logue has to contain his natural reaction to the misery described.

    But this is Colin Firth's film through and through. I confess myself highly biased: I have long been a fan of his work and count him as one of my favourite actors. But tell me, how could I not? The amazing detail he brings not just to the stammer and rhythm of speech, but also to his body language; a man naturally regal and graceful here sits pigeon-toed with a world of tension in his limbs that dissipates ever so gradually over the course of the movie. I still remember watching that year's Oscar ceremony live and jumping up and down for joy whopping in the wee hours of the morning when he won!

    All in all, a truly great film. Now do yourself a favour and go watch it if you haven't already.

Conclusion: Absolutely! [what is this]

The King's Speech came out in 2010.