Wednesday, March 9, 2011

The Kings Speech (2010)


At the beginning of this film, Prince Albert, Duke Of York (Colin Firth) must give a speech at Wembley Stadium. He stutters horribly and the people listening seem to find it painful to hear. The Prince tries to cure his stutter, but nothing is able to help until his wife Elizabeth (Helena Bonham Carter) finds Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush) a speech therapist to help him. At first Prince Albert gets frustrated with Logue, especially since Logue insists on calling Prince Albert "Bertie". Logue has Bertie read a passage while recording him at the same time that loud music is playing to see what the problem might be. The Prince thinks that this is a waste of time, throws a tantrum and leaves. Logue gives him the record. Later as Bertie's father gives his Christmas address to the British people, Bertie listens to the recrod and realizes that he was not stuttering. Bertie goes back to Logue and finds hope in Logue's rather unconventional therapies.

After Bertie's father dies and his brother David, the Prince Of Wales takes the throne as King Edward VIII, King Edward finds that he must abdicate the throne if he wants to marry and American woman named Wallis Simpson as she has been divorced. King Edward steps down but not before accusing Bertie of getting speech lessons because he knew he would be taking over. Bertie gets upset at Logue because of the pressure and is very cruel to him.

When Prince Albert becomes King George VI he realizes that he needs Logue's help more than ever and goes to Logue's to apologize. When King George must give a speech regarding England's declaration of war with Germany, Logue is right there giving him support. King George does a fine job and from then on Logue was always there when King George gave a speech.

This film may be a bit slow for some folks, but it was quite good. Colin Firth received an Oscar for his performance. Even Brian was glad that he saw it. Even if you think it might be boring, do yourself a favor and Netflix it.

111 Minutes. Rated R. I GIVE THIS FILM THREE AND ONE HALF STARS.

No comments:

Post a Comment