Steve Reviews The King's Speech

How is it that true stories always tend to bring out the best in people?

In 1970, George C. Scott won, and infamously didn’t accept, his Oscar for playing General Patton. In 1980, Sissy Spacek turned herself into Loretta Lynn and walked home with Oscar. In 1982, Ben Kingsley gave one of the greatest performances ever in Gandhi. Daniel Day Lewis in My Left Foot, Hillary Swank in Boys Don’t Cry, Jamie Foxx in Ray . . .

On February the 27th, add Colin Firth to that list.

Firth plays Britain’s King Henry VI, the father of the current Queen Elizabeth II, who unceremoniously took the throne from his brother just before the start of WWII. Unfortunately for Henry, he had a speech impediment, a stammer, that crippled his public speaking. This is the story of how Henry sought the help of a speech therapist to overcome the overwhelming problem of being the King and not being able to talk to his peoples.

Firth is brilliant. Sure, he always just kinda looks like Colin Firth, but that’s not the point. I found myself actually holding my breath when he talked. Part of me was embarrassed for him. Part of me was hoping he’d make it through each sentence without stammering. The point is that I was lost in his character. When the credits rolled, I had forgotten that Colin Firth actually didn’t have a stammer. That’s how I know he’s going to win.

Supporting roles by Helena Bonham Carter and Geoffrey Rush will likely also get nominated, but I think they are just tips of the hat. Both are good roles and well acted, but Firth is the star here.

As a whole, I thought the film was good, but not great. It’s very British, which means it will probably win the BAFTA, but I think it may be too… British to win Best Picture.

I will say that the buzz is growing, and I think this film has a better chance than most at “upsetting” Social Network for the top prize.

-Steve
9.10.10