The King's Speech

Directed by: Tom Hooper
UK release date:Jan 07 2011
UK release date:Dec 10 2010
Starring: Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter, Michael Gambon, Guy Pearce



IMDB page

He said:

This is not a film I felt any sort of impulse to see upon first hearing it being discussed. The subject matter to me seemed uninteresting and not at all suited to be a feature length film. Helen on the other hand, has been eagerly awaiting it's release as it is one of her most anticipated films this month.

As an American living in England I am less than casually inundated with little bits of English history on a daily basis. There are very few times that the subject of World War II comes up and it is even more rare that I hear anything more on this moment in history than the fact that the US was a few years late to the big show.

The King's Speech tells what was to me, before last night, an unknown prologue to England entering World War II. England was dealing with having lost two Monarchs within less than a year and just getting to know King George VI. This film weaves so many threads of stories together that it is a true credit to director Tom Hooper that the audience never feels rushed, lost or confused.

There are several outstanding performances in this film, but they all pale in comparison to the Colin Firth's performance of King "Bertie" George VI. Firth manages to portray the King with the strength of Royalty and the frailty of man. The more I think about this film the more I realize how much I enjoyed it. I give it {{{4.5 out of 5}}}

She said:

I heard amazing things about this film before I even saw the trailer, and so was expecting great things. When I did get to see the trailer I couldn't wait to get to the cinema and watch what looked to be a masterpiece. My impressions and expectations were met with ease; this film is fantastic.

As someone who has always suffered with issues of confidenceand self esteem I am always drawn toward scenarios where public figures are shown in their most vulnerable state. Selfishly it makes me feel better abut myself. Humbly it makes me realise that we are all human.

The King's Speech showed a man crippled with a speech impediment that was not just a public figure, but that would soon be King and lead a nation during a World War. It was always going to be an incredibly complex role to play with the pressures 'Bertie' faced but Colin Firth really did give the performance of a lifetime. I would be surprised if he isn't nominated for both an Oscar and a Bafta. For that matter Helena Bonham Carter and Geoffrey Rush (who I'd like to see get best supporting) were also impeccible.

Overall this to me was a film about self belief and despite being about the Royal family it was something I could very easily relate to. I am so impressed by this film and its elegant soundtrack. I give it {{{5 out of 5}}}

They said: This is a must see film and is likely to be a heavy contender during this year's award season. Whether you see it as a history lesson or a philanthropic discovery you can't deny this film is a masterpiece. We give it [[[9.5 out of 10]]]

Question of the day: Are than any other films that have changed your perspective on a well known moment in history?

Gosford Park (Directed by Robert Altman)

Watched: March 1st

Starring: Maggie Smith, Michael Gambon , Kristin Scott Thomas, Kelly McDonald, Emily Watson, Clive Own, Charles Dance, Tom Hollander, Jeremy Northam, Laurence Fox, Ryan Phillippe, Stephen Fry, Eileen Atkins, Helen Mirren, Richard E. Grant

IMDB link

She said:

Gosford Park is one of those rare gems - a film I can watch over and over and never tire of. With a list of characters as long as your arm it takes about ten viewings to work out who is married to whose sister and whose valet corresponds to whose lady's maid and who comes under the kitchen staff and who the butler is.

Repeat viewings also allow you to fully appreciate the politics of the upstairs/downstairs dynamic and of the upper class economic situations. This might sound dry and boring but I can assure you this is a film full of wit and humour.

This clever wit is the charm of the film - all the characters are full of familiar dysfunction. The upstairs guests are all trying to be top dog with the most money and don't care which of their family members need manipulating to get it. Below stairs the staff are dutifully bound to people that they destest and despise. The outsiders such as the murder detective and Mr Wisemann (a Hollywood producer) are trying to be 'insiders'.

This film is essentially a murder mystery drama but the comedy is what stands out. I have seen it maybe 15 times and haven't stopped chuckling along yet. Watch it and fall in love equally with characters who are harmless and characters who are quite vile. I give this film <<<5 out of 5>>>

He said:
This film reminds me a lot of the Eighties film Clue (after the board-game with the same name, known as Cluedo in the UK) The mystery of who the murder or murderers actually are, is half of the fun. The Mr Wisemann character spends the majority of the film talking to Studio big wigs back in the states trying to green light a film dealing with the idea of British upper-class in the country for his Detective Charlie Chan films.

This is a fun film with so much going on in any single scene I can definitely see the appeal of multiple viewings. There are too many top notch British actors to list here but even the casual American viewer will know the majority of names listed during the opening credits. (I myself was only unfamiliar with one of the names listed)

I enjoyed this film and would recommend it to anyone looking for an unexpected laugh or a murder mystery. I give {{{4 out of 5}}}



They said:
A fun film worth watching more than once. you will not be disappointed.... we give it {{{{{9 out of a possible 10}}}}