The King’s Speech (2010)

Director: Tom Hooper

Starring: Colin Firth, Helena Bonham-Carter, Geoffrey Rush

The story of King George VI, his impromptu ascension to the throne of the British Empire in 1936, and the speech therapist who helped the unsure monarch overcome his stammer.

Having a speech impediment myself, I was very interested in seeing ‘The King’s Speech’.

When King George V dies, his son David (Guy Pearce) becomes King. However, David intends to marry a twice-divorced woman, and as the supreme governor of the Church of England he is not allowed to marry a divorced woman. His younger brother, Bertie (Colin Firth) therefore becomes King.

Having a speech impediment, Bertie dreaded becoming King, as he abstains from making public speeches. He finally agrees to see speech therapist Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush). I enjoyed the way Bertie and Lionel became friends. ‘The King’s Speech’ is a talkie, and I’m generally not into talkies. However, I actually thoroughly enjoyed this movie. It was also unexpectedly funny.

The performances were very good all round, but Colin Firth in particular was fantastic. His performance during the film’s final moment was incredible! I also really enjoyed Helena Bonham Carter as his wife, Queen Elizabeth.

‘The King’s Speech’ could easily have been a prequel to 2017’s ‘Darkest Hour’. This is a film I enjoyed more than anticipated.

‘The King’s Speech’ was a box office success, earning a whopping $427.3 million on a mere $15 million budget. It received 314 award nominations, winning 108 including 4 Oscars (Colin Firth deservedly won the Oscar for Best Actor).

Would I watch it again? Although I enjoyed it, I don’t think so. This is the type of movie I’ll watch once only.