To say merely that the film is worthy is an understatement. The acting, the photography & cinematography, the costuming, the score, the direction all come together to make what could have been a rather pedestrian "feel-good" movie into something really quite extraordinary.
This is a seemingly quiet film with filled surprisingly big moments.
Briefly, the story starts in the years just prior to WWII. King George V (played by Michael Gambon, of Harry Potter fame) is on the throne and concerned about the succession after his death. His eldest son Prince Edward (played with uncanny good looks by Guy Pearce) is handsome and charming and has the look of a potentially beloved sovereign, but he is weak and completely besotted with a woman unsuited to be his queen and consort. Next in line to the throne after his brother is Prince Albert (Colin Firth), called "Bertie" by his family. He is handsome and athletic, but shy and reserved with a stammer that is nearly incapacitating. The king strongly encourages Prince Albert to speak in public with disastrous results. It is the role of a royal, however, to do his duty and many avenues were sought to help him correct his "defect," with little to no success.
The prince had given up hope of ever finding a "cure," until his wife, the Duchess of York (winningly played by Helena Bonham-Carter) found the unorthodox Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush). Naturally, Albert resists Logue's exercises and forced intimacy, but as the need for him to speak more and more looms, he finally gives in and slowly finds success. It is still a hard road for him, however, and he relapses in critical moments. First the king dies and his brother succeeds him. But Edward, now King Edward VIII, is determined to wed the American divorcée Wallis Simpson and is soon forced by the government and the church to abdicate in favor of Albert, who becomes King George VI. The abdication is not popular, and the new king struggles with a role he had hoped never to attain. When war with Germany is ultimately declared, it is up to His Majesty to be a strong leader for the country (if in name only). His address to the nation is his ultimate test!
It was hard not to be reminded of another tour de force royal performance. Helen Mirren as Queen Elizabeth II was brilliant in showing emotion repressed. Here Colin Firth must also portray a British monarch's "stiff upper lip," but this is a much more emotional story. Perhaps with The Queen, the emotion has been repressed over a lifetime that it has become habit. Perhaps Princess Elizabeth (adorably played by Freya Wilson) and Princess Margaret (an also cute Ramona Marquez) grew up secure in their parents' love, with Lilibet brought up knowing her place in the line of succession. Prince Albert did not have such security. He was often sickly, abused and teased, forced to use his right hand over his natural left-handed tendencies. He had to learn to keep a good face in public, but he seemingly was a good father who loved his girls, he loved and trusted his wife and learned to become good friends with Logue. I've also read that through the war years he also had a trusted friendship with Winston Churchill (played almost too much as a caricature by Timothy Spall, also of Harry Potter fame). By all accounts here, he was wary of intimacy, but once he let someone in he was the warmest of companions. I hope that was true and not just dramatic license. I would be eager to know if Her Majesty has seen the film and feels it to be accurate at all.
This film is chock full of the best of Britain's acting roster:
Colin Firth does British reserve like no one else. He is known the world over for a definitive Mr. Darcy, the epitome of English elite. Here he shows the audience that being King and being human are not mutally exclusive. All the big moments in the film are his, deservedly so. I was particularly moved by the scene where he breaks down in front of his new queen, confiding how inadequate he feels to be king. And the last scene, his big wartime speech to the nation, is as tense as any Hitchcock movie! Oscar-worthy, no doubt.
Geoffrey Rush's portrayal of Lionel Logue is not unlike some of his other brash, unconventional characters; but he's just as likeable here, with a sense of fun simmering below the surface that you long for Albert to throw caution to the wind and join him for the ride!
Helena Bonham-Carter as Elizabeth, Duchess of York was a welcome change from her usual kooky roles. Here she is a warm wife, loving mother and quiet but influential force of nature. She should try this more often!
Michael Gambon is rather known for his crusty roles, and he doesn't disappoint here. As George V he rules confidently, even in the face of changing technology and society. He hoped Albert would be king all along, I think, and perhaps that is why he pushed him so hard. Gambon always commands every scene he's in, and even if there is no Dumbledore twinkle in his eyes, he still conveys a hopeful pride and affection for his son.
It was a joy to see Claire Bloom as the stately Queen Mary, Sir Derek Jacobi as fussy Archibishop Cosmo Lang, the beautiful Jennifer Ehle as Myrtle Logue, David Bamber as a theatre director (that's 3 P&P alums!) and Anthony Andrews as Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin.
Guy Pearce, as I mentioned above, was dashing as King Edward VIII (later the Duke of Windsor), and Eve Best as Wallis Simpson made the most of a small but pivotal role. Mom & I both felt she really looked the part! (there was a nice shot of a reproduction piece of one of her many jewels)
When I was younger we had a book called Littlest Princesses: The Intimate Story of HRH Princess Elizabeth & HRH Princess Margaret As Told By Their Governess. When I saw young Freya Wilson and Ramona Marquez as the two young princesses, I thought of that book at once! I must see if I can find it at Mom & Dad's, as I was so very fond of it!
I'm always glad to see Timothy Spall in the credits of any movie. His portrayal of Churchill was a little over the top, and he looked more Hitchcock than Churchill. And yet, the voice was right if the expression was a bit too dour and his stature a bit on the short side. The Prime Minister was a dynamic personality, and Spall's portrayal certainly conveyed that.
The screenplay itself was very good, though I believe it was the acting that made it outstanding. The direction, photography and cinematography looked both of another time and yet very crisply current. The score added much as well, particularly in that last tense speech scene. The costuming looked period without being fussy. I did feel a bit badly for the ladies though, as the 1930s wasn't the most stunningly flattering of periods for fashion! lol!
All in all, I was swept away by this film, and unlike some films my emotions ran the gamut. I laughed, I cried, I smiled, I cheered (inwardly, of course - this is the Royal Family we're talking about!)... I was simply won over by it.
Picture credit: Colin Firth as King George VI in The King's Speech, Bedlam Productions/The Weinstein Company.
The King's Speech Official Site
