The big winner at the 2011 Academy Awards (Best Film, Actor, Director and Screenplay), The King's Speech stars Helena Bonham Carter as Queen Elizabeth, Colin Firth as King George VI, and also starring Geoffrey Rush, Guy Pearce and Michael Gambon.
Tells the story of King George VI, the father of Queen Elizabeth II. After his brother abdicates, George reluctantly assumes the throne. Plagued by a dreaded stutter and considered unfit to be King, he engages the help of an unorthodox speech therapist named Lionel Logue (Rush). Through his friendship with Logue, George finds his voice and confidence, and leads Britain into World War II.
It’s fitting that The King’s Speech and The Fighter should be both released in New Zealand on the same day. Although one is about a stuttering monarch and the other about a Boston boxer, both pit a man against all odds to achieve a physical and mental challenge and both will leave you feeling royally chuffed.
Don’t switch off when you hear the word ‘king’. The appeal here is not limited to the grey-haired, history buffs or staunch monarchists among us. It might feature the prim and proper Royals but this excellent buddy flick – two mismatched partners on a bumpy road to becoming firm friends – is an easily accessible and very satisfying comedy-drama.
To compensate for the ‘stuffy’ period-film label, director Tom Hooper (The Damned United) makes an effort to create visual interest. Off-centre framing, wide-angle close-ups and some theatrically dressed interiors create a bit more pizzazz than your average historical tale.
The performances are simply excellent. Colin ‘nice British guy’ Firth makes an empathetic lead; kind and sensible under his frosty shell. Against him, Geoffrey Rush is full of a twinkle-eyed Antipodean rebelliousness as Aussie speech therapist Lionel Logue. In some ways, the character’s eagerness to be pals with the king is his Achilles heel; it’s a longing for a pedigree that he will never attain.
The King’s Speech will likely prove very popular here, not only due to the down-under connection. The curiousity about the blue-blooded, the struggle with class or wealth differences, and the poignancy of the bro-mance are all key ingredients in this intelligent, feel-good hit.
By Andrew Hedley, Flicks.co.nz
Epic Movie with really brilliant acting and effort put in. A serious movie.
The political views explained throughout the kings speech, show one man's courage to overcome negative influences from outside sources. He has coherent persuasive oratory skills and provides the viewer with a heart felt story; as he has a stammer. Through George VI, he provides us with the feeling of power no matter what.
The genuine struggle was superb. Geoffrey rush was STELLAR, as was the exception late-Mr Darcy. Throw Helena Bonham Carter into the mix and a decent script and very acurate portrayal of the times and you have a decent movie! I AM ANGRY that Geoffrey Rush didn't get any recognition in the Academy Awards for this :( Prepare to hold your breath alongside Colin Firth during his official declaration of War. Beautiful. Also - the criticism Colin's role received for his apparent 'admiration' of Hitler was undeserved, I thought it was a beautiful contrast of Hitler's ability to captivate others with words, something that the prince at the time, lacked. One question I have - was his older brother really THAT cruel? I thought some of his remarks and immaturity shown towards his family was so rude, that I think in comparison to the subtle acting of the others, it came across as too much sometimes.
In really enjoyed this movie and the cast was superb! You really felt Colin Firth's pain as the stuttering King
good story
What we have here is a superior historical drama and a powerful personal one.
The King's Speech wins out with vivid dialogue and great cast
Think the blazing joys of "Chariots Of Fire" where the race is to the end of a sentence. Can it be that the British are coming?
This handsome movie about the abdication crisis and George VI's stammer is a clever anti-Pygmalion
It perhaps started with "The Queen," continued with "Young Victoria" and now achieves the most intimate glimpse inside the royal camp to date with The King's Speech.
We've been told the NZ release date for this flick is Thursday, 20th Jan 2011.
Release date: January 20th 2011.
We haven't received times for this movie in this location yet. However these are updated as cinemas announce them, so check back soon. Hopefully the lovely cinemas in your location will choose to play it shortly. ~Ed.
