The King’s Speech

After his disastrous closing speech at the British Empire Exhibition at Wembley, England’s Prince Albert is impelled to see Lionel Logue, an Australian speech therapist. Inspiring period film is a stately historical drama about living with a disability, specifically stuttering. Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush are an unlikely duo, engaging as student and teacher respectively. English director Tom Hooper wisely trusts David Seidler’s marvelous script to support the film. The words carry the story and empower the actors to give life to the dialogue. They completely inhabit their roles to the point where their verbal exchanges are riveting. A subtle picture that demonstrates that the future King George VI was just an ordinary man, a modest man thrust into extraordinary circumstances.  In spite of his wealth and privilege, the audience actually feels pity for a man about to become king.  Similarly unexpected is that something as mundane as a radio-address could hold the comparable excitement of an Olympic athlete striving for the gold medal. Yes, This is one of those distinguished dramas they’ll watch in school. It has the respectable feel of a history lesson. The difference here is the entertainment value, genuinely touching and surprisingly funny.  An uplifting tale.