A Royal Time

The King's Speech (R, 118mins)

This movie is nominated for 12 Academy Awards and has a rating of 95% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes....so everyone says its great. Everyone says Black Swan is great too, I strongly disagree. But the King's Speech really is fantastic. What I really like about this movie is how it is an acting movie and the excellent acting is what makes the movie.

Set in England between 1920-40, we follow the Duke of York as he ascends to the throne of England, just as WWII is getting underway. In addition to all the family and political drama, one of his biggest struggles is a stutter he has had since he was 4 years old. So, we see in through his therapy, which helps target not only his speech but his heart.

Colin Firth is just amazing as the Duke and Geoffrey Rush as Lionel Logue, the speech therapist, is wonderful. And it is so refreshing to see Helena Bonham Carter portray a normal person. These performances and the relationships their characters form carry the film, although I found the story very interesting as well. The production is beautiful as well, from the many royal homes to Logue's crumbling office.

I recommend this to all. I don't think people under 18 will find it particularly interesting but it is appropriate (there are some swears but that is about all on the R-rated front). Big screen or little, I would check it out. It is sure to win some golden statues next month.