Rating: R
Release Year: 2010
Notable Cast: Colin Firth, Helena Bonham Carter, Geoffrey Rush
Stars: 3.5
Review: Easily the best movie I have seen all year! The previews do not do this movie justice, and I think if you just heard the premise you may expect it to be a boring watch. Basically, the story is about King George VI (Colin Firth) who had a well-known speech impediment; this is the dramatized version of his journey to overcome the impediment with the help of a speech therapist (Geoffrey Rush). But oh my goodness, this movie was so fantastic, and not boring in the slightest. I have so many good things to say about it that I feel compelled to make a list:
1. Characters and dialogue: The acting was phenomenal. I particularly enjoyed Helena Bonham Carter in the role of Elizabeth (later, the Queen Mother). You may remember her as Bellatrix Lestrange from Harry Potter. She was simply magnificent as the bright, determined, no-nonsense Elizabeth. All three of the primary actors were so well-cast for the roles, and the writers/director did a great job with dialogue and actions that really brought the characters to life and encouraged rapport. I could feel George's frustration, and I found myself so emotionally reactive to his successes and failures on his journey to overcome his impediment... I suspect that you, as I, will find yourself drawn to the characters because you understand them. I think it is difficult in a film to really make a character understood, and I applaud the talents of the writers as well as the actors.
2. Humor: This movie was so funny! Mainly classic dry British humor. I particularly appreciated the witty exchanges between George and Lionel (the therapist), and the unique methods of Lionel.
3. Love!: Oh you knew this was coming! I'm a hopeless romantic. :) This movie is by no means a romance, and some viewers might even say that there is no love story, but I vehemently disagree. I found George and Elizabeth's relationship as it was portrayed to be so incredible and truly inspirational. The way that Elizabeth supported George and constantly encouraged him to grow and learn and be the best version of himself... I think this movie portrayed true love. And though the movie emphasized George, you could just tell from their exchanges the mutual respect the couple had for each other, and that George in turn supported and cared for Elizabeth just as much as she did for him. As a woman, I found Elizabeth to be absolutely delightful. I think in period films it is easy for the wives to be portrayed as somewhat weak and demure, and I appreciated that this movie emphasized Elizabeth's strength. You can't help but be impressed by her, and you come away with the clear understanding that George wouldn't have been as successful, as strong, as able, without his wife, his partner, by his side.
I strongly recommend this movie! A thoroughly enjoyable cinematic experience.
Good date movie? YES!
