About a week ago, the young woman who sells tickets at the movie theater told us that the King's Speech would not be playing there. But the good folks of Mansfield
must have wanted it because we saw it there.
I am so used to seeing movies which are mundane, trite, and banal. So when a film comes out that is magnificent, it almost literaly takes my breath away.
I will be surprised if anyone reading this does not already know the major plot of the movie so I will briefly relate that it is the story of Albert, younger son of
King George V who ruled over one quarter of the Earth's population in the mid 1930s during which the story takes place. Albert, known to his family as Bertie, suffered from a debilitating stammer
which left him feeling socially inept and awkward, and resulted in his remaining in the political background of his nation at a time when it was obvious to anyone who
had honesty to see that another world war was looming over Europe.
Upon the death of George V, his son, Edward becomes the new king. But Edward's pending marriage to Wallis Simpson, an American divorcee, ultimately forced him to abdicate the throne since the king is head of the Anglican Church which does not countenance divorce.
It is then that Albert is thrust into history as the next king of England. Coached by his speech therapist, Lionel Logue, Bertie successfully delivers his first public
speech, and taking the name George VI [Albert is considered too "Germanic"], goes on to lead his nation in the war against Nazism.
Behind the king's speech, we are treated to the haunting 2nd movement of Beethoven's Symphony no. 7 in A Minor, which is the music playing behind this review.
The performances of Colin Firth as King George VI and Geoffrey Rush as Lionel Logue are absolutely wonderful. It was thrilling to watch the interplay between these two actors who superbly show the growing friendship of a simple tutor with the British monarch.
Colin Firth is well known for his roles in Mamma Mia!, The Accidental Husband, and Love Actually. Geoffrey Rush, perhaps one of the greatest actors of our day, is known to American audiences for his performances in Pirates of the Caribbean, Quills, Shakespeare in Love, and for his marvellous performance in Shine.
Helena Bonham Carter, that wonderful English actress certainly should be familiar to American audiences for her many roles in films including the Harry Potter series,
Terminator Salvation, Fight Club, and Mighty Aphrodite.
I first encountered Guy Pearce as a drag queen in Priscilla, Queen of the Dessert. A friend reminds me that he was also in Memento and L.A. Confidential.
Derek Jacobi is perhaps best remembered for his portrayal of the Roman Emperor in the TV series, I Claudius.
I hardly recognized the magnificent Claire Bloom as Queen Mary. I remember this beautiful woman from many films during the 1960s. She has matured as an older actress and it was a pleasure to see her again after many years.
I cannot recommend this film enough. You will not be disappointed.
Euclid, OH
January 19, 2011
Cast overview, first billed only:
Colin Firth ... King George VI
Helena Bonham Carter ... Queen Elizabeth
Derek Jacobi ... Archbishop Cosmo Lang
Guy Pearce ... King Edward VIII
Timothy Spall ... Winston Churchill
Eve Best ... Wallis Simpson
Robert Portal ... Equerry
Claire Bloom ... Queen Mary
Richard Dixon ... Private Secretary
Paul Trussell ... Driver for The House of Windsor
Adrian Scarborough ... BBC Radio Announcer
Andrew Havill ... Robert Wood
Charles Armstrong ... BBC Technician
Roger Hammond ... Dr. Blandine Bentham
Geoffrey Rush ... Lionel Logue
Calum Gittins ... Laurie Logue
Jennifer Ehle ... Myrtle Logue
Dominic Applewhite ... Valentine Logue
Ben Wimsett ... Anthony Logue
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