Ann and I watched this beautiful movie yesterday and I must say that I was blown away. After hearing all of the hype and outrageous reviews I was prepared to be less than impressed. Wow, was I ever wrong. This movie goes down as one of the best that I have ever seen. Here are a few things that I loved about it:
- I did not expect to see such a personal and realistic presentation. Not sure that I would have deemed it to be much more than an over dramatization if not for the fact that it was based on historical events.
- I loved the way that King George IV was portrayed as a real human man with fears and frailties. He comes across as such a humble and noble person wanting to do the right thing. His speech teacher says that he was the most persevering man he had ever met.
- Much has been made of the relationship of the king and his speech teacher - yet I was not prepared to witness such a reality of friendship that involved such gritty courage, tenderness, forgiveness and encouragement.
- The casting of Colin Firth as the king and Geoffrey Rush as his teacher was simply magnificent. I got lost in the story as they became their characters. In my opinion they both deserved Oscars as their roles were so central to the greatness of the movie.
- Lastly I have to say that, as one who stuttered into his early twenties, the way that they treating the king's stammering was so tasteful. They showed how he struggled but did not belabor it as they pictured his speaking in such a tender way.
I could go on regaling this wonderful movie, how heartwarming the story was and how great the acting was. Suffice to say that, on a scale of ten, I give this movie
★★★★★★★★★★.
Hi Bob,
ReplyDeleteI am very interested in this movie as well and I intend to see it. Should you wish to hear a recording of the REAL broadcast of the speech, you can find a it on this link. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-12020794 He may have been ill prepared to take his brother's place on the throne, but "Bertie" rose to the challenge.
BTW, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is said to have liked and approved of the film. :)
I think this has become my all-time favorite. I saw it three times in the theater, and I have the DVD. I want to see it with captions so that I haven't missed anything.
ReplyDeleteI read that the Queen Mother would not permit the diaries to be released until after her death. What a support she was to this man who led his country through the war.
It definitely earned the Oscars that it won.
I commented on fb, but thought I'd add my 2 cents here too.
ReplyDeleteLoved the movie. One of the best ever. Saw it on the big screen, and will rent it, like Beverly I want to see it again, and again.
I was blown away too. Simply love it.
ReplyDeleteBob, I had no idea you stuttered. I have only been around 2 other people in my life who stuttered. I was also touched by the King's Speech because I stuttered as a child. I still feel the fear at times that I won't be able to start a sentence and get the words out. That movie was awesome. I agree both deserved Oscars. Neither character stands on his own. They stood together.
ReplyDelete