Review of The King's Speech (2010) by Shaun B — 17 Jul 2012

What a long-overdue viewing this turned out to be. Besides meeting all expectations in terms of execution and acting, this British gem (who's director is currently helming the highly-anticipated Les Miserables musical adaptation) touched on deep themes in a way I did not see coming.

Firth's lead role, seamless in facial nuance and precise in its distinct speech pattern, invokes instant sympathy for someone that many of us lowly peasants wouldn't expect to sympathize with. Equally breathless is Geoffrey Rush (Barbossa to fans of the Pirates films), whose balance of firmness, brutal honesty, and tenderness emits a glimmer of hope in a world of people who seek nothing more than to gain. The chemistry between the two rivals that of Paul Newman and Robert Redford in their iconic team-ups, or even (dare I say it) Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels in Dumb & Dumber. As bizarre as it seems, it's true. This Oscar-caliber duo of Brits serve up the best buddy-based interaction I've seen in a long time, in both tear-jerking friendship and genuine humor.

Technical points aside, what really sells the movie is its appeal to those who suffer in the act of communication, be it with strangers, associates, or even one's own family (that territory's all too familiar to me). I was thoroughly invested in seeing the central character overcome his impediment and his fear of failing those who depend on him.

I had the good fortune of watching the film with my grandfather, whose ears are adjusted to British accents from years of BBC. With him at 68, myself 18, you can see just how wide of an audience the picture can reach.

A great, inspirational film.