Movie: The King’s Speech

Release Date: December 25, 2010 (USA)

Director: Tom Hooper

Starring: Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter, Guy Pearce, Timothy Spall, Derek Jacobi, Jennifer Ehle, Michael Gambon.

Tag Lines: “It takes leadership to confront a nation’s fear. It takes friendship to conquer your own.”

“When God couldn’t save The King, The Queen turned to someone who could.”

“When his nation needed a leader, when the people needed a voice, an ordinary man would help him find the courage.”

“Find Your Voice.”

“The Nation Awaits…”

Relevance: The moment I saw the trailer for ‘The King’s Speech,’ I knew not only that I had to see it as soon as possible, I also knew that I would love it. Christmas Day and New Year’s Day are big movie days for me. Some years I see two movies on each of those days if my schedule allows. ‘The King’s Speech’ was a Christmas Day movie. I went alone, as I often do when I go to the movies, and knew from the opening frame that my intuition about it was correct. I was going to love it.

I was completely in awe of the movie. It told a story that I was familiar with but it kept my full attention throughout its entirety. Every aspect of this movie, from the directing to the acting to the writing to the set and costumes were extraordinary. I was surprised by its charm and wit and was moved to tears numerous times. I am a total sucker for a flawed character overcoming obstacles who then goes on to do great things, so of course I cried.

Walking out of the movie that first time I saw it, I knew two things. One, this will get Colin Firth an Oscar. And two, the film will be the Best Picture of the year at the Academy Awards. I was right on both counts. I am a pretty decent “predictor” of awards, but I am usually cautious of saying who I think will win too early. I like to see every movie and performance first. Not this time. ‘The King’s Speech’ was that good.

Today’s Thoughts: This movie is everything I remember and so much more. I am still completely in awe of this film, especially the acting. Not only is Colin Firth absolutely wonderful, Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter are equally fantastic.

The screenplay is so well-written and although I remember laughing the first time around, I forgot how funny the movie actually is. And some scenes are so well-directed and so well shot, they are breathtaking.

And yes, I cried again. In fact, I think I cried more this time than the last time. It was the subtle moments and some of the words that got me this time around. “Forget everything else and just say it to me. Say it to me as a friend.” Tears.

This is another example of a movie, like yesterday’s, (354. Michael Clayton) if released 10 or more years earlier, would have been higher on my list. As the years grow, I am confident the fonder I will become of it.

Awards: Academy Award for Best Picture (winner), Academy Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role, Colin Firth (winner), Academy Award for Best Achievement in Directing, Tom Hooper (winner), Academy Award for Best Writing, Original Screenplay, David Seidler (winner), Academy Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role, Geoffrey Rush (nomination), Academy Award for Best Performance be an Actress in a Supporting Role, Helena Bonham Carter (nomination), Academy Award for Best Achievement in Cinematography, Danny Cohen (nomination), Academy Award for Best Achievement in Film Editing, Tariq Anwar (nomination), Academy Award for Best Achievement in Costume Design, Jenny Beaven (nomination), Academy Award for Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score, Alexandre Desplat (nomination), Academy Award for Best Achievement in Sound Mixing, Paul Hamblin, Martin Jensen, John Midgley (nomination), Academy Award for Best Achievement in Art Direction, Eve Stewart, Judy Farr (nomination), Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor – Drama, Colin Firth (winner), Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture – Drama (nomination), Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role, Geoffrey Rush (nomination), Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role, Helena Bonham Carter (nomination), Golden Globe for Best Director, Tom Hooper (nomination), Golden Globe for Best Screenplay, David Seidler (nomination), Golden Globe for Best Original Score, Alexandre Desplat (nomination), BAFTA Award for Best Film (winner), BAFTA Award for Best British Film (winner), BAFTA Award for Best Leading Actor, Colin Firth (winner), BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actor, Geoffrey Rush (winner), BAFTA Award forBest Supporting Actress, Helena Bonham Carter (winner), BAFTA Award for Best Screenplay, David Seidler (winner), BAFTA Award for Anthony Asquith Award for Film Music, Alexandre Desplat (winner), BAFTA Award for best Director, Tom Hooper (nomination), BAFTA Award for Best Cinematography, Danny Cohen (nomination), BAFTA Award for Best Editing, Tariq Anwar (nomination), BAFTA Award for Best Production Design, Eve Stewart, Judy Farr (nomination), BAFTA Award for Best Costume Design, Jenny Beaven (nomination), BAFTA Award for Best Sound, Lee Walpole, Paul Hamblin, Martin Jensen, John Midgley (nomination), Best Make Up and Hair, Frances Hannon (nomination), Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture (winner), Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role, Colin Firth (winner), Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role (nomination), Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role, Helena Bonham Carter (nomination), Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor, Colin Firth (winner), Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Screenplay, David Seidler (winner), Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Picture (nomination), Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Acting Ensemble (nomination), Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actor, Geoffrey Rush (nomination), Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actress, Helena Bonham Carter (nomination), Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Director, Tom Hooper (nomination), Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Cinematography, Danny Cohen (nomination), Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Art Direction, Eve Stewart, Judy Farr (nomination), Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Costume Design, Jenny Beavan (nomination), Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Score, Alexandre Desplat, Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievemnet in Motion Pictures, Tom Hooper (winner), Film Independent Spirit Award for Best Forign Film (winner), Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor, Colin Firth (winner), Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actor, Geoffrey Rush (nomination), Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for best Screenplay, David Siedler (nomination), Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Production Design, Eve Stewart (nomination), National Board of Review Award for Top ten Films (winner), National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actor, Geoffrey Rush (winner), National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actor, Colin Firth (nomination), National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Screenplay, David Seidler (nomination), New York Critics Circle Award for Best Actor, Colin Firth (winner), PGA Award for Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion pictures, Iain Canning, Emile Sherman, Gareth Unwin (winner).

Ways to Watch: Amazon Prime, Vudu, iTunes, Netflix, Sling TV, Showtime, DVD Availability.