MIT Lecture Series Committee

Rated R
118 minutes

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format: 35mm

The King's Speech (2010)

2010 Academy Award Nominations: Best Picture (WIN!), Best Leading Actor (Colin Firth) (WIN!), Best Supporting Actor (Geoffrey Rush), Best Supporting Actress (Helena Bonham Carter), Best Directing (Tom Hooper) (WIN!), Best Original Screenplay (David Seidler) (WIN!), Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, Best Editing, Best Original Score (Alexandre Desplat), Best Sound Mixing

After the death of his father King George V (Michael Gambon) and the scandalous abdication of King Edward VIII (Guy Pearce), Bertie (Colin Firth) who has suffered from a debilitating speech impediment all his life, is suddenly crowned King George VI of England. With his country on the brink of war and in desperate need of a leader, his wife, Elizabeth (Helena Bonham Carter), the future Queen Mother, arranges for her husband to see an eccentric speech therapist, Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush). After a rough start, the two delve into an unorthodox course of treatment and eventually form an unbreakable bond. With the support of Logue, his family, his government and Winston Churchill (Timothy Spall), the King will overcome his stammer and deliver a radio address that inspires his people and unites them in battle. Based on the true story of King George VI, The King's Speech follows the Royal Monarch's quest to find his voice. [www.rottentomatoes.com]

As the speechmaker and his speech teacher, Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush elevate each other's game to the stratosphere and beyond.
      -- Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer. Read this review.