The King's Speech.

I approach movies much like music, books and art works. The ones I like I will enjoy more than once and hope to see fresh things in it time and time again. Looking at the poster weeks before the film came out I suspected this one might be "one of those".

I think that one of the main strengths to start with is that it’s factual. The telling of this story gives us curious insight into an aspect of that critical time, the Royals and their adversity that we have not seen before. Many of my contempories have had to work out the connection to Queen Elizabeth II and did not even know George VI had a speech impediment. So many have been starting from the very beginning on this one.



At the core of the narrative is the relationship between Lionel and Bertie. Apparently it was a play script before it became a film (I believe at Geoffrey Rush’s suggestion) and this is reflected in the extended close scenes of Bertie s treatment session swith Lionel. They success of the film though is the simple fact that the whole film is anchored in an excellent script beyond and above anything else. In translation from the stage to the screen this might make for a slow burn, but no so. The writing is gentle, witty, measured, dynamic and keeps the audience amused, curious, sympathetic, laughing and surprised, in turn. The screenplay, settings and intimate camera work step in and support the intimacy of the script meticulously. Incredible performances delivered by Firth, Rush and Bonham Carter make the film the most gently, powerful and moving I have seen in a very, very long time. How refreshing!

It’s said Colin Firth is shoe in for an oscar and even though the timing and theme of the film is very advantageous to this, (US backing, Royal engagement, popularity of the UK royals in the USA etc) I think he should get it regardless. The scope of depth of character through reservation of emotion that Firth pulls off is just brilliant. We see many sides to this “man wouldn’t be King” and watch him reluctantly grow into the skin of the role he must take on.

For me, a shining light through the film was all the support cast, in particular Helena Bonham Carter as Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon; the Queen (later the Queen Mother). Its very welcoming to see HBC play such a warm character after such a line of roles that are typecast cartoon like or cold and quirky. HBC takes on the physicality of Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon and is utterly believable in her warmth, support and the also the burden she carries. The two best moments of the film involve her scenes; the first the meeting a speechless Mrs Lionels wife “Its’ Your highness the first time then after that M’am as in ham, not M’am as palm”. The second at the end of the film where the whole dammed struggle is summed up in her flickering expression of tears and utter, utter relief. At that moment She is expressing everything the audience is feeling and has built up to after being taken on such a vulnerable and personal journey as this.

For Australians, we’ll all love it that the key to the story is the unknown Australian underdog who helped the king. by utilising those great Aussie virtues of ignoring title, authority, class or deference and coming to the mammoth task by treating the king as a person; by treating him not as a title, but as a friend. (battler/good bloke/mate/insert s’traiyn expression here).

Some have criticized Guy Pearce as Edward VIII, but given this time round for the first time the focus is on the accidental king and not the scandal of the abdication, we see Edward here through the grave eyes of George and Guy Pearce is appropariately distracted, nervous, flipant and then resigned to his decision.

For many more reasons than these I’m sure The King’s Speech will find a place on my DVD shelf. It has many aspects to explore, over time.