The King’s Speech is a movie based on the true storyof the Queen of England’s father, King George VI played by Colin Firth. Afterthe death of his father King George V, Prince Albert also called Bertie who wasa stammer and suffered from delivering speech was unexpectedly becomes KingGeorge VI when his brother Edward abdicates the throne in order to marry anAmerican Divorcee Wallis Simpson. His wife, Queen Elizabeth arranges him to seean unconventional Australian speech therapist named Lionel Logue, the man whohelps the King find his voice with which to lead the nation into war. Lioneland Prince Albert work through speech exercises such as muscle relaxation andbreath control and also trying to find out the psychological implications ofthe disability in Lionel’s consultation room. As the treatment progresses, Lionel and Bertie become close friends. The King’s Speech is written by David Seidler anddirected by Tom Hooper.
Tom Hooper and cinematographer Danny Cohen tend toshoot close-ups means that the camera was positioned very close to the actorsto catch the emotion in their faces. For example, they put Colin’s face inclose shots in constant relation to negative space in addition to express thesilence, emptiness, and nothingness as a stutterer. Besides, they also use interestingcamera angles to make the story came to life. The cinematography also differsfrom other historical dramas because hard light was used instead of softlight as historical dramas traditionally use soft light. Thus, it gives thestory a greater resonance. Colin Firth, who plays the role ofKing George VI, gives an extremely great performance in The King’s Speech. Firth is not only a master of technique in acting but of emotion as well.
Heshows us the physical discomfort of the king’s stammer. However, he also showsthe emotional pain as family members treat him like a child, a weakling, a jokeand most painfully is they serve him as a person not to be listen to at all. Moreover, he manages to deliver the frustration perfectly and fully express howagony and embarrass he is as a stutter and he feels all of hisimperfection are exposed to public ridicule and he fears what people will thinkof him. Queen Elizabeth played by Helena Bonham Carter is his determined andforever supportive wife. She arranges her husband Bertie to see anunconventional Australian speech therapist named Lionel Logue, to help hishusband the King find his public speaking voice as World War II is just aroundthe corner. Helena Bonham Carteras the Queen has to learn to like Logue by overcoming her own snobbery.
Unlike Bertie, Elizabeth is not as quick toaccept Lionel’s offer of total equality and friendship. However by the end ofthe movie, Queen Elizabeth becomes very fond of Lionel and is willing to say,” Thank you, Lionel.” By calling Lionel by his first name shows that QueenElizabeth has accepted Logue as a true friend. Furthermore, she also play as asupportive wife that never give up on her husband.
She is the one who does notgive up on Bertie, even after Bertie gives up on himself. Lionel Logue, an unconventionalAustralian speech and language therapist played by Geoffrey Rush, who sometimesused unusual techniques of stagecraft to help Bertie gain the confidence andwill to overcome his fears and let his voice be heard. Lioneltrains Bertie to find his voice by using the tools of acting such as breathingexercises, physical presence and mental focus. Lionelnever had formal training to be a medical doctor.
Hisskills as a speech therapist are based on personal experience only. As Logue would want to be on an equal level with theKing of England, Bertie, they become best friends. The quiet and classicalsoundtracks by Alexandre Desplat for The King’s Speech provide a great qualityfor the movie. The sound of the solo piano and violin is sad thus give voice toBertie’s pain and fear. However, thecolours of the movie, made the movie looks very dull. The colours of the wall alwaysblended together with the actor’s wardrobes.
The colours of the wall were veryplain. For example, browns and greys. This shows that the film looked very oldand out of date.
In conclusion, The King’s Speech is based on a completelytrue story. It is a highly inspirational and motivate movie. King George VIdoes not actually cured of his stutter.
Instead, he learns to overcome hisweakness and give speeches through his stutter. It encourages audiences to be confidentwith themselves and hard work is necessary to achieve your goals. No task isunachievable if you are diligent. It is also a touching story of the affectionbetween two men who become unlikely friends.