The King's Speech

The Kings Speech

Its a British feel good movie. If this was American film, it would be Bertie, overcoming adversity to get the Girl and win the white House. Being British, Bertie already has the Girl, and a big house. Bertie was born into it. Its also official history, and a little bit of a travel advert. Still good fun

The film is about George VI stammer, and his efforts to overcome it. The affliction which had troubled Edward became more important, with the abdication Crisis,as Edward became King. 

The two leads are professionals, and relish their roles. Rush has a lot of fun, playing the Australian rebel, who helps Bertie find his voice. Its a bromance, a reverse pretty woman. In which the pleb teaches the patrician how to behave. Some of the best scenes are Lionel. (Rush) Ham acting. Firth role is the frustrated and reserved younger brother.  

Jennifer Elhe is now middle aged. Oh I remember the Camomile's lawn. Helena Bonham Carter plays Elizabeth the consort of the Duke of York, She is the steel behind in Bertie, in velvet gloves

One hears Cut Glass BBC English, and London accents, before they were softened by Estuarine English. Its quite hard on the ear. Its amusing to see Gavin and Stacey's Adrian Scarborough as a BBC radio presenter

The opening scene with Bertie trying to speak at the Empire exhibition, and Wembley is silent, but for a Horse. A dog barks, during the build up to Edwards speech at the start of World war 2. The animal world ignores the politics of man

Interesting to see how prominent the archbishop of Canterbury was in the lives of the Royal Family

Michael Gambon playing a confused George Vth in his final moments. Was unsettling

There is some historical revisionism. Churchill, was on the side of Edward (David), here. He is presented firmly in Berties (George's) camp

Rare to see Neville Chamberlain, and Stanley Baldwin depicted on film. I cannot remember the last time, I saw either. At least they got Churchill position in 1939 correct. Though the crowds outside Buckingham palace when there could be an Air raid at any moment. Seems strange

Guy Pearce plays David (Edward) doomed by his love for Mrs Simpson. A rootless rude woman, she is seen ordering the cutting down of trees at Balmoral. Where Bertie is dressed in a kilt. The whispers of her sexual dalliances 

There is nothing surprising here. No lessons we did not already know. It does feature two wonderful performances by wonderful actors. It is is in someways a filmed play and that is no bad thing