So much has already been said about Tom Hooper's The King's Speech at this point that writing a formal review feels rather perfunctory, so I'll just keep things simple. -
What we have here is a very classy, very warmly-made British drama that because it's exceedingly well-acted and delivers emotionally in the closing moments is a surefire Best Picture nominee, and you know what, I don't have a problem with that.
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I would, however, take offense to the film actually taking the Oscar back home across the Atlantic, because as easy as it is to slip into and admire, it's too dapper and antiquated - gently amusing and affecting, yes, but it's aspirations are modest, just like Hooper's previous film, the intelligently crafted footballer, The Damned United.
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However modest the film may be, Colin Firth is anything but. His stuttering and hesitant King George VI is a very mannered but intelligent and compassionate performance that deserves recognition - delivering that acceptance speech might be a bit tricky, though. [B]
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More than any film this year, I had the hardest time going into KING'S SPEECH without expectation.
ReplyDeleteHell for a few weeks there in between TIFF ending and SOCIAL NETWORK opening, Oscar-watchers were screaming about how the race was over and this was the film to beat.
Expectations or no, I was able to sit back and soak this film in and just "enjoy a movie". That compassionate performance is indeed something to behold. When one considers it in tandem with his stoic work in A SINGLE MAN, Mr. Firth is on quite the run!
Great post, though I for one could go for another formal review.
I couldn't be a bigger fan of Eisenberg in "The Social Network" (I think he's amazing in that role), but I honestly couldn't be too upset with Firth winning - he deserves it. Not just for "The King's Speech" but for a relatively under-appreciated career that's culminated in a pretty special 24 months for him.
ReplyDeleteIt's not much different from other period pieces I have seen, but the performances, and just overall good-hearted tone, make this enjoyable. Good Review!
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