Royalty and friends

[mistletoe]

I watched The King's Speech this week which I will say things about behind the cut in case people would rather not be spoiled.

I would say it was competent. Some of it was quite moving as I really felt sorry for poor Bertie when he told his story about his childhood. The nanny did not want him to be liked as much as David (The Prince of Wales) and so she would nip him to make him cry when he was presented to his parents. It took THREE years for them to notice by which time his self esteem was completely shot. Hence the stammer.

Colin Firth managed it really well although I thought he was a bit too old for the role (I know sacrilege, but I was never a fan of Mr Darcy). The best character in the whole thing was Lionel Logue. Geoffrey Rush was excellent as the failed actor who had a gift for overcoming speech defects. His lack of deference was perfect and he allowed the Prince to be himself rather than the public figure he had to be most of the time.

The best scene was where he guided the King through his broadcast at the end of the film. It showed how well he knew the King and how they were indeed friends. I don't think Bertie had any friends otherwise. Sycophantic types such as Archbishop Cosmo Lang (Derek Jacobi) sought the status quo and closed their eyes and ears to the thought that the king might not be able to perform his duties. When he had to defer to the king's wishes at the Coronation I was cheering.

The only person apart from Queen Elizabeth to show any understanding was Winston Churchill who turned his speech problem into an asset. And we all know how well that turned out. Timothy Spall made a good effort at the voice of Churchill if not the look. Same with Claire Bloom who looked very much like Queen Mary to me. I wasn't too impressed with Guy Pierce as Edward VIII, but it was more of a cameo than a main role. Same with Wallis Simpson although there were enough hints to show they would not have been the right choice for a wartime situation. Too pally with Hitler whereas, Bertie was suitably shocked by the newsreels.

I found it a quiet film, not a typical Oscar winner. Firth may get the nod as best actor in the way Al Pacino did for Scent of a Woman. Mind you, I never believed he was blind and at least Colin Firth made a very good job as a stammerer. We'll see.

Comments

[robas.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I'll look it up ASAP.