The King's Speech

[paulchen]

I have just come home from watching the film The King's Speech at the cinema. If you don't know, and because it is up for a number of Oscar and BAFTA awards you would have to have been on another planet not to know of it, the film concerns the true story of HM King George VI of the United Kingdom's battle with his stammer.

It is a very, very moving film and deserves all the awards it can get. I doubt it will win Best Film, but Colin Firth gives a very touching and consistant performance. Helena Bonham Carter as Queen Elizabeth certainly looks the part but I feel her voice isn't quite light enough.

OK, there are some liberties with the historic truth, but the film is well worth watching if only to show how we Brits won the war and that we had the right Head of Sate at the time and the personal battle His Late Majesty overcame to give the people of the United Kingdom the courage.

[paulchen]

Well done Colin Firth, Helena Bonham-Carter, Geoffrey Rush and everyone to do with The King's Speech for sweeping the board at the BAFTA Awards. OK, it was a one-horse-race with lots of bridesmaids [to mix metaphors and to quote the director of another film] but well-deserved all the same.

[Cinderella]

Thank you for this review. I am hoping to see this film before the Oscars. Absolutely everyone seems to like it. It appears its biggest competition for Best Picture is The Social Network (which I will probably see this week).

[hovite]

Feb 11, 2011 22:41:15 GMT paulchen said:

deserves all the awards it can get

This is true.

[wendy]

I just watched this movie a few days ago and loved it - especially the costumes, sets and the relationship between king and therapist. I agree with Paulchen's opinion of Helena BC's portrayal of HM the QM (actually, Duchess of York and Queen). Elizabeth was more dainty and smooth with people. "Smooth" isn't the best descriptive word to use but I can't think of the word to completely fit my abstract gut feeling on it.

Colin Firth deserves the Oscar! It was such a difficult role to pull off convincingly and he sure accomplished it. Geoffry Rush was also magnificent.

Timothy Spalling played Winston Churchill quite well and there were times I did a double-take when watching scenes involving David/Edward VIII because the actor (Guy Pearce) reminded me so much of him in looks.

This movie should receive several Oscars tomorrow.

[paulchen]

Glad you enjoyed it too Wendy. I don't usually go to the cinema much bvut I felt I had to be a part of history being made. My fingers are still crossed that The King's Speech will sweep the Oscars too. Colin Firth should make it this year. As you say, Wendy, not an easy part to do, but a very consistant perfromance.

I've seen/heard a couple of documentries linking up with the film. First, one about the making fo the film. People are known to have given the film a standing ovation. [My work colleague said she was quite ready to watch the film again, right after watching it the first time.]

The other was on the TV about King George's stammer and also talking to other clients of Logue. An equally moving programme. Watching film of the real King's speeches you realise what a battle he had to overcome. He is the ultimate King, called to do his duty for his country. He overcame or, rather, managed his disability and lead the country, with the support of his consort, Queen Elizabeth, and Winston Chruchill. Exactly the right combination to keep the country going. I am sure the present Queen is proud of her father's work and shed a tear or two of pride when she was shown the film.

[janjan]

I saw the movie and thought it was a disappointment kind of a waste of money

[janjan]

I am interested off topic for a min to see the mini series they are doing on the Kennedys it airs on April the 9th in my area of canada

[paulchen]

Feb 26, 2011 23:22:42 GMT janjan said:

I saw the movie and thought it was a disappointment kind of a waste of money.

I am interested off topic for a min to see the mini series they are doing on the Kennedys it airs on April the 9th in my area of canada

Janjan, of course you are welcome to voice your opinion, but I don't understand why you bothered to register here just to express "republican" views on a royalist forum.

I also fail to understand what the Kennedy Family has to do with this film. Colin Firth is a good actor, whatever his opwn nationality and whatever the subject of the role he has played. It just happens that his portrayal of His Late Majesty King George VI deserves, in the opinion of quite a few people worldwide, an award or two. It has also highlighted the struggle, not only of the King, but of other people with stammers.

[janjan]

I am glad the message about the late King speech disorder was brought out And was very impressed with the actual stages of treatment he went thought I just found the acting to be very dry Colin may be a great actor but he did not in my mind play a very good George the sixth and queen Elizabeth was not any better

[janjan]

I would also like to see the Tudors con on with the reigns of Edward mary and Elizabeth that made for great TV watching

[Cinderella]

Janjan, welcome to the board!

[paulchen]

So proud of The King's Speech. Well done, "King Colin"! ;o)

[dukeofearl]

Feb 26, 2011 21:24:14 GMT paulchen said:

Glad you enjoyed it too Wendy. I don't usually go to the cinema much bvut I felt I had to be a part of history being made. My fingers are still crossed that The King's Speech will sweep the Oscars too. Colin Firth should make it this year. As you say, Wendy, not an easy part to do, but a very consistant perfromance.

I've seen/heard a couple of documentries linking up with the film. First, one about the making fo the film. People are known to have given the film a standing ovation. [My work colleague said she was quite ready to watch the film again, right after watching it the first time.]

The other was on the TV about King George's stammer and also talking to other clients of Logue. An equally moving programme. Watching film of the real King's speeches you realise what a battle he had to overcome. He is the ultimate King, called to do his duty for his country. He overcame or, rather, managed his disability and lead the country, with the support of his consort, Queen Elizabeth, and Winston Chruchill. Exactly the right combination to keep the country going. I am sure the present Queen is proud of her father's work and shed a tear or two of pride when she was shown the film.

c'mon now..

[paulchen]

Mar 2, 2011 19:33:20 GMT dukeofearl said:

Feb 26, 2011 21:24:14 GMT paulchen said:

Glad you enjoyed it too Wendy. I don't usually go to the cinema much bvut I felt I had to be a part of history being made. My fingers are still crossed that The King's Speech will sweep the Oscars too. Colin Firth should make it this year. As you say, Wendy, not an easy part to do, but a very consistant perfromance.

I've seen/heard a couple of documentries linking up with the film. First, one about the making fo the film. People are known to have given the film a standing ovation. [My work colleague said she was quite ready to watch the film again, right after watching it the first time.]

The other was on the TV about King George's stammer and also talking to other clients of Logue. An equally moving programme. Watching film of the real King's speeches you realise what a battle he had to overcome. He is the ultimate King, called to do his duty for his country. He overcame or, rather, managed his disability and lead the country, with the support of his consort, Queen Elizabeth, and Winston Chruchill. Exactly the right combination to keep the country going. I am sure the present Queen is proud of her father's work and shed a tear or two of pride when she was shown the film.

c'mon now..

OK, I got a bit carried away. But if you compare King George VI and his elder brother King Edward VIII, I think we all know who had the greater sense of duty.