The King's Speech (2010) UK Film Council / Momentum Pictures 📢 Director: Tom Hooper. 💰 Producer: Iain Canning. 👫 Cast: Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter, Guy Pearce, Timothy Spall, Derek Jacobi, Jennifer Ehle, Michael Gambon. 🏆 Awards ceremony: -83rd Academy Awards: February 27, 2011. Kodak Theatre, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California. 🎭 Other films nominated for Best Picture this year: -Black Sawn. -The Fighter. -Inception. -The Kids Are All Right. -127 Hours. -The Social Network. -Toy Story 3. -True Grit. -Winter's Bone. 📕 Plot summary: Based on the true story of The Duke of York (played by Oscar-winner COLIN FIRTH) who becomes King George VI, the King of England shortly before the outbreak of World War II after his brother David abdicates the throne following the death of their father, King George V. Suffering from a lack of confidence due to his terrible stammer, the Duke seeks the help of an Australian-born speech therapist from Harley Street by the name of Lionel Logue (GEOFFREY RUSH). Logue takes charge of the job with authority and encourages the soon-to-be king with some elocution lessons which ultimately fixes the issue and cements a friendship between the two men. 💥 Standout scene(s): -The first meeting between the Duke and Lionel is outstanding. Lionel doesn't allow himself to be starstruck by the authority of his patient and takes a commanding position in helping the Duke overcome his issue with his stammering. -The rehearsal in Westminster Abbey when the Archbishop tries to interfere with the King's wishes to have Lionel present during the ceremony. Lionel's "I don't care how many Royal arseholes have sat in this chair" speech is both brilliant and humorous! 🔑 Facts: -The 83rd Academy Awards. -Nominated for 12 Academy Awards, it won 4: Best Picture, Director, Best Actor (Colin Firth), Original screenplay. -Third Best Picture appearance for Colin Firth (The English Patient, Shakespeare In Love). -Second Best Picture appearance for Geoffrey Rush (Shakespeare In Love). -Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush both starred together in Shakespeare In Love - Best Picture of 1998. -Second Best Picture appearance (in succession) for Guy Pearce (The Hurt Locker). -The film received a '12' rating in the UK, which usually allows two uses of the word 'fuck'. In this film, Colin Firth uses the word a total of 12 times in the space of 10 seconds - a record that I'm sure not even Joe Pesci could break! 🙂 Personal opinion: An educational film based on historically accurate events makes this a semi-important movie to embrace - if, of course you care about history; or the British monarchy. It's one of those films that you think about and don't feel much excitement in wanting to watch, but when you do decide to sit down with it you find yourself really enjoying it. The on-screen chemistry between Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush cannot be ignored. The two actors play off one another magnificently and captivate each scene they are in together. This alone makes the film very watchable. I liked this a lot more than I thought I was going to, so a very nice surprise. Did it deserve the Oscar? ✅YES. 7/10

Review date: 28 June 2025