A biopic film, set on the brink of the Second World War about a British King who has to overcome the adversity of a crippling speech impediment in order to become a figure of resistance against the Nazis. If there’s one film this year that could be accused of shameless award bating then it’s the King’s Speech.
Of course, to strictly accuse the film of mere Oscar pleading would be a little unfair. Tom Hooper has crafted an pleasing, if predictable character piece. Successfully humanising King George VI and letting us behind the curtain of the time around his father’s death and the early days of his reign. The plot of the film is based around the time when George becomes king and how he has to overcome his stammer so he can address the nation during such important times as when war is declared on Germany. Colin Firth’s performance as the reluctant monarch is very good and will no doubt win him a few new statues to fill his shelf with. Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter and Guy Pearce could all also be looking at a slew of nominations. The film is well shot with a fitting grey moody tone that does well to capture the fear of a time when the last thing anyone wanted to do was go to war again.
The problem I have with the film is, in spite of its charming characters, the backbone and jeopardy of the whole story relies solely on whether George has the ability to learn to speak properly, which to me, doesn’t seem enough to carry a whole film. Firth succeeds admirably in making us like his character, his recounts of his upbringing are enough to make you root for him and want him to succeed. Unfortunately though the outcome doesn’t seem to have a profound effect either way.
3/5
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