The King's Speech
Academy Award × 4
Rent/Purchase
The King's Speech tells the story of the man who became King George VI, the father of Queen Elizabeth II. After his brother abdicates, George ('Bertie') reluctantly assumes the throne. Plagued by a dreaded stutter and considered unfit to be king, Bertie engages the help of an unorthodox speech therapist named Lionel Logue. Through a set of unexpected techniques, and as a result of an unlikely friendship, Bertie is able to find his voice and boldly lead the country into war.
What critics thought
The King's Speech landed with near-universal enthusiasm, with critics agreeing that Colin Firth's performance is the film's beating heart and that Rush and Bonham Carter match him every step of the way. The main reservation, even among admirers, was that the film is a handsomely crafted crowd-pleaser that doesn't push beyond its comfort zone — a polished, crowd-pleasing period drama that some found too tidy in how it handles the political shadows of the era.
“what we have here is a superior historical drama and a powerful personal one.”
Roger Ebert·Chicago Sun-Times
“Tom Hooper's richly enjoyable and handsomely produced movie ... is a massively confident crowd-pleaser.”
Peter Bradshaw·The Guardian
“It is an intelligent, winning drama fit for a king – and the rest of us”
Lisa Kennedy·The Denver Post
“With their volume turned up, the appealing, impeccably professional Mr. Firth and Mr. Rush rise to the acting occasion by twinkling and growling as their characters warily circle each other before settling into the therapeutic swing of things and unknowingly preparing for the big speech that partly gives the film its title”
Manohla Dargis·The New York Times
Genres
Biography, Drama, History
Cast & Crew
DirectorTom Hooper
StarringColin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter, Guy Pearce, Timothy Spall
ComposerAlexandre Desplat
The King's Speech
Academy Award × 4
The King's Speech tells the story of the man who became King George VI, the father of Queen Elizabeth II. After his brother abdicates, George ('Bertie') reluctantly assumes the throne. Plagued by a dreaded stutter and considered unfit to be king, Bertie engages the help of an unorthodox speech therapist named Lionel Logue. Through a set of unexpected techniques, and as a result of an unlikely friendship, Bertie is able to find his voice and boldly lead the country into war.
What critics thought
The King's Speech landed with near-universal enthusiasm, with critics agreeing that Colin Firth's performance is the film's beating heart and that Rush and Bonham Carter match him every step of the way. The main reservation, even among admirers, was that the film is a handsomely crafted crowd-pleaser that doesn't push beyond its comfort zone — a polished, crowd-pleasing period drama that some found too tidy in how it handles the political shadows of the era.
“what we have here is a superior historical drama and a powerful personal one.”
Roger Ebert·Chicago Sun-Times
“Tom Hooper's richly enjoyable and handsomely produced movie ... is a massively confident crowd-pleaser.”
Peter Bradshaw·The Guardian
“It is an intelligent, winning drama fit for a king – and the rest of us”
Lisa Kennedy·The Denver Post
“With their volume turned up, the appealing, impeccably professional Mr. Firth and Mr. Rush rise to the acting occasion by twinkling and growling as their characters warily circle each other before settling into the therapeutic swing of things and unknowingly preparing for the big speech that partly gives the film its title”
Manohla Dargis·The New York Times
Genres
Biography, Drama, History
Cast & Crew
DirectorTom Hooper
StarringColin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter, Guy Pearce, Timothy Spall
ComposerAlexandre Desplat
Rent/Purchase