The King's Speech (Film Review)
Feb. 19th, 2011 01:52 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
selenakRather unoriginally, I agree with the two main reaction I've seen to this film: a) fantastic acting all around, Colin Firth will so get the Oscar for this, Gregory Rush is great as always, and Helena Bonham-Carter proves what an amazing actress she can be if not stuck in Gothic vehicles, and b) yes, the script is by the number in that you've seen films using the "person with disability or handicap of some sort/dedicated teacher" constellation before, you'll know exactly how this goes, down to the set backs and breakthroughs. Doesn't mean it's less captivating to watch this time around, and immensely moving because the actors are that good. (See this response by Ray Connolly, a journalist who grew up with a stammer as well, and in the article I linked writes both about his own memories and what the film evoked in him.) The fact that this particular constellation contains one participant who at the dawn of the media age has to speak in public, with no other choices possible, when speaking in public is complete and absolute torture to him is a great dramatic device allowing one to empathize with Bertie, aka the future George VI, a lot. (The shyness, the dastardly selfish brother and the great relationship with his wife also help, as does the adorable penguin scene with his daughters.)
As a piece of period history, it's better regarding the increasing role of the media on how monarchs as figureheads are perceived, and regarding the general chilly dysfunctionality of the Windsors, than it is about both British politics and Britain in a wider context with the rest of Europe, let alone the world. As opposed to some other criticis, I don't mind the film doesn't go in detail about Wallis Simpson's and "David"'s chumminess with the Nazis because they really aren't the focus of the film and the script does give two reminders of this, one with the fact Ribbentrop sends Wallis flowers and one with David remarking, re: shaky situation in Europe, that "Hitler will sort it out". Honestly, I don't think more was necessary given the size of their roles in this film and its primary focus on Bertie and Logue. However, I suspect the only reason Churchill is around at all is because the producers calculated he'd be the one British politician of the time whom 99% of the viewers would recognize by name, and associate with wartime patriotism. Because Film!Churchill's role is the exact reverse of Real!Churchill's role in the abdication crisis. Real Life Winston C. was completely pro-David aka Edward VIIII, tried his damn best together with Lord Beaverbrook to keep him on the throne, and declared Edward would "shine in history as the bravest and best beloved of all the sovereigns who have worn the island Crown", I kid you not. Consequently, his relationship with Bertie aka George VI was lukewarm at best until the war, but in the film, you get jolly old Winston being gruffly benevolent, encouraging and clearly seeing who is the more deserving brother from the get go. Ah well. He doesn't have much screentime, and it amuses me to no end he's played by Peter Pettigrew.
All in all: very much worth watching for Firth, Rush and Bonham-Carter, but would feel much more mediocre with lesser actors.
As a piece of period history, it's better regarding the increasing role of the media on how monarchs as figureheads are perceived, and regarding the general chilly dysfunctionality of the Windsors, than it is about both British politics and Britain in a wider context with the rest of Europe, let alone the world. As opposed to some other criticis, I don't mind the film doesn't go in detail about Wallis Simpson's and "David"'s chumminess with the Nazis because they really aren't the focus of the film and the script does give two reminders of this, one with the fact Ribbentrop sends Wallis flowers and one with David remarking, re: shaky situation in Europe, that "Hitler will sort it out". Honestly, I don't think more was necessary given the size of their roles in this film and its primary focus on Bertie and Logue. However, I suspect the only reason Churchill is around at all is because the producers calculated he'd be the one British politician of the time whom 99% of the viewers would recognize by name, and associate with wartime patriotism. Because Film!Churchill's role is the exact reverse of Real!Churchill's role in the abdication crisis. Real Life Winston C. was completely pro-David aka Edward VIIII, tried his damn best together with Lord Beaverbrook to keep him on the throne, and declared Edward would "shine in history as the bravest and best beloved of all the sovereigns who have worn the island Crown", I kid you not. Consequently, his relationship with Bertie aka George VI was lukewarm at best until the war, but in the film, you get jolly old Winston being gruffly benevolent, encouraging and clearly seeing who is the more deserving brother from the get go. Ah well. He doesn't have much screentime, and it amuses me to no end he's played by Peter Pettigrew.
All in all: very much worth watching for Firth, Rush and Bonham-Carter, but would feel much more mediocre with lesser actors.
