The King's Speech

Finally saw this year's Best Picture winner, "The King's Speech".  And I have to say, it's an awesome movie.  Starring Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, and Helena Bonham Carter, it's the story of Britain's King George VI, who ascended to the throne after the abdication of his brother, King Edward VIII.  King George, known as Bertie to his family, has a speech impediment, in that he has a severe stutter.  Knowing that his father, George V, is soon to die, and that his brother is not really kingly material, he begins to take a more active role.  And because he will need to give public speeches, he seeks out therapists to help him overcome his stutter.  He finally lands on an unorthodox therapist, Lionel Logue. 

Most of the movie is played out in the interaction between Bertie (Firth) and Logue (Rush).  They get to know each other on equal terms, and it's in his work with Logue that he learns to overcome his fears and finally assume the role he never wanted, that of King.  There's a lot of historical and political intrigue as well - how to manage what's happening in Germany and avoid war, and how King Edward's behavior with Wallis Simpson is causing distractions.

The acting is superb throughout - both from the two leads, and from Helena Bonham Carter as Queen Elizabeth.  Firth totally deserved his Best Actor Oscar.  He somehow manages the timing of trying to speak with a stammer, and maintains it in very long, scenes.  Rush is totally down-to-earth, and self-assured without being overly arrogant.  And Bonham Carter is by turns charming and supportive, and a steady, calming influence on both Bertie and Logue.

There's also several terrific cameo and supporting performances - Guy Pearce as King Edward, Anthony Andrews as Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin, and Timothy Spall as Winston Churchill.  It's also fun to see Jennifer Ehle (as Logue's wife Myrna) on-screen with Colin Firth again, if only for a few moments.  And then there's Michael Gambon and Claire Bloom as King George V and Queen Mary. 

Now, some discussion of a rather notorious scene in the movie is in order.  The movie as originally released was Rated R, for a scene that included multiple instances of using the F-word.  That scene has now been re-worked to obtain a PG-13 rating.  And the F-word has been replaced by the S-word, although you can read the lips and still see the F-word being said.  If not for that one scene, the movie would certainly have received a PG rating.  The use of the word does make sense though, in context of the scene and what is happening.  Whatever the rating, see the movie.  It's a wonderful story of perseverance and overcoming fear to be our true selves.  I highly recommend.