The King’s Speech 4.0*** out of 4.0*****
"The King's Speech" is a film that is about more than just a speech in a moment in time. It is about the journey of Prince Albert (Colin Firth), the younger of the two sons of King George V, and his battle to overcome a harsh speech impediment . Tom Hooper directs this true story concerning a special relationship that forms between Prince Albert, also known as Bertie, and his speech therapist Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush). The film begins shortly before the death of King George V, which was shortly before World War II, and after a horribly failed speech by Bertie due to his stammering speech impediment( stammering is the inability to speak except very haltingly and even then with long pauses which is different from stuttering). His wife Elizabeth (Helena Bonham Carter) has tried finding speech therapists to help her husband, however, time and time again they fail to procure any results. She finally stumbles across a man named Lionel Logue known for his unique therapeutic practices. At first Bertie is very skeptical and believes that this is going to be just another failure. However, after a minor bet of a shilling which Lionel wins but it also turns out to be a inspiring breakthrough for Bertie due to some surprising results. Together Bertie and Lionel build a strong bond and come to trust each other and work hard to overcome the stammering..
The acting of both Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush is spectacular and the chemistry between the two is even better. They are able to transform a very straightforward and predictable story into an original look at an underdog story. Colin Firth's performance is so very real and believable that he makes you feel like you are in one of those dreams where you are trying so desperately to speak and can’t and must call out for help, but are not able to. The journey that these two men take together in the film is mastered perfectly as the two curse and sing and fuss at each other and make speech more than just well articulated words stung together.
Tom Hooper directed this without holding back proving himself to be one of the better directors in Hollywood. Making an R-rated film only because of a few F-words used during the speech therapy sessions shows that he was willing to make the film for what it is, not to get a larger audience. Solidly written, beautifully cinematographed, elegantly directed, and perfectly acted. The King's Speech will be a Best Picture nomination. For an Oscar along with nominations for Firth, Rush and maybe Bohem-Carter.
A “must see” whether in the theatre or later on DVD.

Clark