Monday, May 9, 2011

THE KING'S SPEECH: (one of the) BEST FILM 2011

King George VI: If I'm King, where's my power? Can I form a government? Can I levy a tax, declare a war? No! And yet I am the seat of all authority. Why? Because the nation believes that when I speak, I speak for them.
But I can't speak.

Oscar award winner for the best film of 2011, the King's speech has everything that a movie of this caliber could ask for. It is hilarious and tender all at the same time, focusing on George VI (Colin Firth in the absolutely flawless performance) who, for lack of a better phrase, needed to step up to the plate and lead his country in their time of need. His headstrong wife, also played to perfection by Helena Bonham Carter, after numerous attempts to cure the King's persistent stuttering problem, finds, for lack of a better word, a commoner embodied by Geoffrey Rush, who uses an orthodox measures to get the King settled in his role as commander of a country. These two men, embark on a journey together and although Carter is along for the ride, a partner to her husband as any strong wife would be, at its heart this is the story of a man who must overcome more than just a studder and in the wake he builds a lasting friendship, both men showing that they have both wise hearts and minds. This film has it all, drama, comedy, tension, suspense, and a triumph of the human spirit. This was perhaps the safer choice to win best picture of the year over The Social network,but do not let that take anything away from such a masterpiece of a movie. I think my only criticism, is that Geoffrey Rush was robbed of this Oscar-winning performance. He is magic. However, there is no doubt that this is Colin Firth's film. However stodgy it may appear, this movie is certainly not, and is one definitely not to miss.