He Left Me Speechless by Issa Perez de Tagle The...

He Left Me Speechless
by Issa Perez de Tagle

The King’s Speech (2010)
D: Tom Hooper
S: Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham-Carter, Michael Gambon, Guy Pierce

Those of us who wanted to be princes or princesses when we were growing up (sheepish laughter) had no idea what the real difficulties of being a monarch are. The pressure, the responsibility, and the higher standard of conduct that you’re expected to exemplify are all hidden from public view by lofty waves and dignified grace. Very few are privy to what’s behind that curtain of mystery, where King George VI is merely Albert or Bertie (Colin Firth), a boy who was always considered by his father King George V (Michael Gambon) to be greatly inferior to his older brother Edward (Guy Pierce), and a man who never wanted or thought he could rule over a nation.

The familial belittling Bertie goes through becomes a deep pit of insecurity hidden behind thick and high walls, while manifesting itself in a stutter. This might seem like a very forgivable fault to some, but when you’re “the seat of all authority” in a nation that believes that when you speak, you “speak for them”… it might be a graver problem than it appears to be.

In the advent of radio and newsreels, hiding behind a curtain has become immensely more difficult. A monarch is increasingly expected to speak and appear in public, and with the threat of war looming ominously over the kingdom, his voice needs to be firm but reassuring. This already posed a problem when Bertie was merely a prince, but he was forced to face it head on when his brother abdicated the throne for love.

This confrontation was relentlessly pushed on him by none other than his wife Elizabeth (Helena Bonham-Carter). She is the picture of the perfect wife – supportive yet grounding, graceful and poised yet full of pluck. In fact, she’s so endearing in this film ~~that you’ll forget she murdered Sirius Black~~ that she reminds us why the Queen Mother was so beloved by her people and why there is a saying that behind every great man, there is a great woman.

But apparently, so is a great speech coach. Geoffrey Rush plays Lionel Logue, the unconventional speech therapist tasked to correct the stutter of King George. Unlike the other specialists the King has seen, Logue realizes that Bertie’s problem is more than just a few extra syllables in a word. He befriends the King and slowly gets behind curtain to break down the walls Bertie has erected.

Colin Firth gives an riveting nuanced performance, perfectly capturing both the King’s pitiable shyness and his strong integrity. This is matched word for word by Geoffrey Rush who makes the eccentric Logue incredibly lovable. It really is amazing to watch their dynamic onscreen. First, full of tension and animosity then gradually becoming trusting and nurturing.

Director Tom Hooper provides a very intimate backdrop for these two. Instead on focusing on grandiose, sweeping halls, the sets are mainly long, narrow corridors and small, enclosed spaces. It’s almost like he’s mimicking how trapped Bertie feels by his infirmity and the long struggle it takes for him to get his words out.

This isn’t just a tale about how one man finds confidence in himself. It’s also a story about how true friendship brings out the best in each of us. Logue frees Bertie of his fear of failure, allowing him to be the great king his nation needs, and Bertie frees Logue of his frustrated stage dreams, allowing him to see that his greatness lies in the fact that he can help others find their voice. This is what makes The King’s Speech a truly inspiring and heartwarming ensemble piece that will leave you speechless with its beauty.