“The King’s Speech” shines with true Oscar potential, rightfully deserving of its 12 nominations, as the cast, set and direction make for a truly memorable historical drama.
But that’s just it. It’s a historical drama, and no teen at Regal Cinemas on a Friday night wants to see a historical drama. Forget that. Let’s see “Little Fockers” or (dare I say) “Gnomeo and Juliet” instead.
“The King’s Speech” lacks the lightness and appeal for the average high school student’s Friday night pick, and that’s the sad part.
The film also had a limited release in November, and the craze over “Black Swan” and “True Grit” took the spotlight away from this true masterpiece.
Colin Firth plays the riveting role of King George VI, capturing the emotion and harsh temperament of the reluctant King’s surprising ascension to the throne in 1936. Bertie, as the King is called in the film, rose to the highest ranks of the world’s monarchies after his brother abdicated in favor of a divorced woman from Baltimore.
That’s right, Baltimore, hon.
But Bertie finds himself trapped by his speech impediment while pressured to lead his people with the commanding confidence that they so desperately need. Bertie doesn’t live the glamorous life of tabloid fodder that Prince William and Kate lead today. Instead, he struggles, trying to cope with the intense anxiety of his enormous role in society.
The movie opens with a frightening scene as the future King George VI must speak publicly in front of thousands. He can’t. He has a severe stammer, and thousands look on as King George VI stammers his way through an excruciating speech — the microphone echoing each unfinished word.
At this point, teens crowding the movie theater lobby would probably move on. It’s a story about a man with a speech impediment. So what?
Here’s what. The camera direction alone is enough to see the movie. Director Tom Hooper captures the fear, the struggles, and even the triumphs of Bertie using a variety of intimidating camera angles. At the King’s first speech, his audience seems to wrap around the actual viewer, and the theater-goers only see the microphone and thousands of judging eyes.
Despite the historical value of Colin Firth’s role, the king’s speech therapist, Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush), captures the true drama and excitement of the story.
Logue is a last resort. He’s a radical, untrained speech therapist whom the King’s wife seeks to help her husband. Logue is the King’s only real support. Going beyond the simple larynx and exercising techniques, Logue employs a variety of hilarious, outrageous tactics to correct the King’s speech, including everything from dancing to repeatedly cursing out the window.
Logue becomes more than a simple speech therapist. He connects with his patient. He becomes Bertie’s only friend, bringing lightness and comfort to the embarrassing situation.
Logue offers hope to the King and the audience, as he works to rid the King of his stammer before his address to the world announcing Britain’s declaration of war on Germany.
As Hitler storms across Europe, Bertie’s stammer is the only thing standing between him and the confidence that his people are looking for in a time of great fear. Rush’s role as Logue is a refreshing, hopeful addition to the somewhat somber topic of the movie.
On the other hand, Helena Bonham Carter, who plays the King’s wife, is all too familiar with somber topics, but she acts surprisingly well as a normal character. While Carter is normally morbid-looking in her “Harry Potter” and Tim Burton roles, she conveys both compassion and strength expertly in her character’s efforts to help her husband while trying to preserve the integrity of the royal family.
“The King’s Speech” will surely become a classic, hopefully enshrined in its deserved Oscar glory. So to all those teenage movie-goers, take a risk. “Little Fockers” can wait.
Joey Hoff is the Editor in Chief for “The Patriot” on JCPatriot.com