Sidetopic:

Facebook is like the grapevine gone mad.  It worked for me last night.

I had seen a fellow poster's update showing that she had enjoyed the movie. I had a feeling that I wanted to do something and no one in the house wanted to go to the show.

A quick search on where it was playing, and then, a post on facebook -- anyone want to go see The King's Speech tonight or tomorrow and.....very quickly a friend said yes, and off we went, with a cup of coffee before hand to catch up on each other's lives.

 Anyhow back to the movie.

Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush were both superb as were all of the lesser characters in the movie.

The period costumes were wonderful and the sets fantastic.   Stuck around afterwards to see where it was filmed.   

It made me laugh out loud, and there were outbursts of laughter and comments throughout the showing by the audience.  People just couldn't contain themselves.

Definitely I recommend it.

Thanks for the review Pinga. I've heard only good reviews thus far about this film. A friend and I are going to see it tomorrow. It's a tradition of mine to go see a movie for my birthday.

Thanks, Pinga , for this suggestion.

(I find I can always depend on another P...... to select a good movie.) 

I thoroughly enjoyed the acting performances from both Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush. (perhaps with the quibble that Colin Firth is much too handome to play King George v1th - in my next life I'm coming back as Colin Firth's shadow - he's everywoman's dream!)

I was particularly impressed with the photography and sets - so evocative of the period. Black and white photography was used judiciously to denote wartime Britain.

I thought the musical score was good.

The script worked well - the contrast between the basic Aussie and the King worked it's own magic.

I was however disappointed with the supporting actors - who, at best, were caricatures.

This, in my opinion, made for a good movie rather than a great movie.

The movie also made me reflect on what it means to be an Australian.

In my travels, folks often comment on how direct and open we Aussies are.

Maybe it's got something to do with the fact that we float on our own island at the arse-end of the world that makes us so different?

I attended this movie with another widow - whom I hadn't met up with for ages. This was our conversation.

Her. "Have you found yourself another bloke?"

Me. "Nope, don't think I want to. Have you?"

Her. "No. I miss not having kids though, do you?"

Me.  "The step-daughters are great - but I think I would have liked to have had my own child."

Her. "Well, kiddo - we're still doing okay. We can still enjoy a movie and a choc-top icecream together!"

As the movie pointed out, Aussies do lack social graces - and we are a weird mob - but I think on balance we're okay. 

Mmmm choc-top icecream.

Went to see it on Xmas day - loved it!  In turns poignant & comedic.   Plus what everyone else has noted above!    Oscar material for sure.   Loved Helena Bonham Carter as the Queen Mum - as usual, a good woman working quietly along behind successful men, knowing what's best for them despite their protestations.

PP - did you think Jeffrey Rush did an okay job on the Assie accent?  I thought perhaps it was a bit mild - but then again, maybe he'd just been in England for long enough to start assimilating.

Carolla,

Geoffrey Rush IS an Aussie - but a rather cultured one.

Also, back in those times, it wasn't acceptable for our newsreaders to speak with an Aussie accent.

Anyone then that earned a living as a speech therapist would have spoken with an attempted English educated accent.

We then suffered from what is termed here "cutural cringe".

But, hey, a film based on an Aussie's relationship with a King - and starring two of our Aussie actors - I'd say  we're well and truly over it. (And as you know yourself, possum, I'm modesty personified). 

I saw, was unthralled, and would class it among the best films ever made.

 unthralled?

Hmmm, this movie sounds good. Maybe I'll go and see it tomorrow. Thanks for the reviews.

Pilgrims Possum ... I didn't know that  Rush is from down under!   I guess that's my new thing to learn for today - thank you!   I wonder if he offered Bertie any Vegimite? 

Good - but not great.

Not up there with "I'ved Loved you so Long" and "Death in Venice" IMO. (it's an oxymoron for an Aussie to be humble!)

What did others think of the supporting roles? They seemed like caricatures to me - a great film has ALL the roles finely written and acted.

Cause he did. They were friends, weren't they????  

 Pilgrim's Progress, I didn't respond to your comments re the supporting characters, as I was trying to remember them.

I must admit, that I thought they were ok.  For example, the scene in the dining room of the Logue's was quite good between mrs. logue and Elizabeth, Queen consort.

In addition, I thought the work around David & Wallace Simpson were good.  

I'm unsure what you were looking for....as it was really a focus on the two men's relationship.

Then again, I am not a movie critic.  I just thorougly enjoyed this one.

I saw it today and heartly reccommend seeing it!

Good movie-made be think about history-and how 1 change can have larger raminifications.

Mrs. Logue should have been played by an Aussie woman - the role really demanded it.

Why choose Jennifer Ehle?  I thought she was perfect for Pride and Prejudice - but she didn't convince me as a suburban Aussie Mum.

But - and a big but - I'm still grateful to you for suggesting this very worthwhile movie, Pinga!

 I loved the pea soup fog....that was a great scene....as was some of the chatter back & forth.

Pilgrim's Progress....you should have been mrs. logue!

Pinga,

You're quick on the trigger today!

Yep! I reckon I could have handled the role of Mrs. Logue - I've absolutely no idea why I wasn't asked?  

I did, however, note that the Queen Mum and I have one thing in common.

Do you remember when she first visited Logue, how she had trouble with those old-styled lift (elevator?) doors?

I once visited a Macquarie St specialist in Sydney (similar to Harley St) and worked out that the reason the lift wasn't working was because I had to close the outer doors first.

(Ah, the connections between Aussies and the British royalty is endless....)

That will remain one of life's little mysteries ... the not being asked part!  I agree - you'd be totally up for it!

 My cousin saw it in Florida.  She said the audience stood up & applauded when it finished. 

She is retired, in her 70's, and my guess is the audience would have been full of similair folks.

It's been very successful in Oz - when I went all seats were sold out, and I can't remember that happening for years.

(er, clumsy English - it was sold out for the film, not because I attended).

The film was a topic of conversation at coffee after church yesterday. I said that I thought the script was a little too harsh on Wallace and the King (David) - but all those that were alive during the war disagreed with a passion!

Whenever I see what is for me a good movie I tear up. On January 1st I saw The King's Speech. My eyes were filled with water. The beauty of friendship. It can go beyond any boundaries. Nuff said.

Just saw it today.  I thought it was an excellent movie - - both very funny and very moving.  The theatre was almost full.  There must be many of us whose employers observe today as the New Year's Day stat holiday.

We went to see this movie on the weekend also, and we loved everything about it.

I have followed the royal family all of my life but didn't realise that King George VI  stutter was as bad as the film showed.David (Edward) was a coward, and put his family in a bad position.

Things did work out in the end as King George was a  well loved  King.

The theatre was nearly full, I'm glad to say.

I hope it gets an oscar.

Going with a group and it has to meet the standards of the best movie I have seen in a theater, thus far, True Grit- tw jewish boys get Calvin ( the base of book and movie).  Will let you know - also if you can see the concert, see it - great script and great music and funny.

Saw the movie last night and it is excellent -  Interesting how it being true transcends the genre of feel good.  The acting was excellent on parties - For me it was a movie about equality that comes and creates friendship.  So there are three movies in theaters that I say are a must - True Grit, The concert and this one.  Each excellent in their own way and causing good conversations afterwards.

We just saw this movie on the weekend (and it's a rarity for us to see a movie in the theatre). And there are still line ups down the street for this excellent film.

Saw it with my father -- I've added it to my Perfect Films list.  It is a wonderful little tale of friendship, the risks and tribulations and humour that have to happen...everything around Rush n Firth I saw as just supporting scenery for these two (relying more on the awesome human ability to fill in the blanks where there is no or little information...)

I really liked the opening scene, with Firth and Carter in the stairwell and the look of utter despair on Firth's face...I wonder if they had to add makeup to enhance the effect?  When I looked at Firth, I knew what he was going through, because I stutter as well :3

Life is difficult for those that stutter.

Many years ago now, I had an English friend who found speech very difficult.

His stutter was the result of being a small boy when his house in London was bombed in an air raid in WW2.

He had a passion for Bingo - and I'd accompany him in case he won and couldn't manage to call out that he'd won.

But mostly, I had to resist the temptation to finish his sentence for him - because, naturally, he wanted to talk for himself.

Inanna,

It mentioned in the film that most folks who stutter can remember when it first occurred. Is that your experience?

I think the film had a lot to say about friendships, generally.

A true friendship is based on feelings of mutual worth. It was only when the King was able to do this that a "real" friendship ensured.

This is on the "rent the DVD" list. We do not go see many movies. With an hour commute daily the last thing anyone wants to do is stay even later or drive an hour to see a movie on the weekend. 

This movie can provide inspiration and hope to those who stutter. James Earl Jones did it for me.

I framed a sermon review, done by a teacher in the congregation, that said I had a "very natural, commanding speaking voice and clear diction". We talked later about speech therapists really earning their money.

To get the full impact a theater is the place to go - we did the extra hour drive and was rewarded with the view full deal,

 The pea soup image in London was fabulous.  I happened to be in almost the front row of the theatre due to my friends wish to sit up close.  

Movie reviews are always more interesting whilst smoking a pipe.

As-salaamu alaikum

-Omni

Finally was able to see "The Kings Speech"! What a great movie.

I was so intrigued that I came home and youtubed the actual speech that GeorgeVI made when war was declared. Colin Firth did a fine job in replicating the speech and while listening I was imagining the , F.....F....F.....'s  in between the lines and the king tipping up on his toes.

Reading further about the King, I learned that he proposed to "the Queen Mum" twice and she turned him down twice. Apparently she was afraid of losing her identity by becoming a Royal and all the pomp and circumstance that goes with it, but of course eventually she agreed to marry him. So it seems that both were reluctant "heirs" to the throne. When they were married she started the tradition, while on the way to her wedding, she spontaneously left her bouquet on the tomb of the unknown soldier. Since then all royals have done this.

Both of course were well loved by the people it seems and I wonder if the kings speech impediment and his wife's longing for "normalness" actually helped their subjects and themselves to relate with others on a different level? I found myself "aching" inside as I watched the movie as he was attempting his first speech. Knowing that there was no "exit" for him to take that his brother had chose to do. And on top of all that, radio had just become popular and now public figures were expected to speak in front of millions. These fast technological changes must have been intimidating for those just becoming initiated let alone one who has to perform immediately learning how to do this while trying to conquer a speech impediment. Wow!

I was also surprised to hear that Churchill had a speech impediment.

I'm sure we have all had moments of disdain for those in authority and position at times, but the movie did give me a sense of "humanness" to the royal family and having to overcome "special" circumstances that most of us could only imagine. In fact, I remember when Lady Di was killed, and the Queen seemed at times emotionless with her responses and after watching this movie, it seems it's the connection to the "commonness" of each other that provides a great following and produces a better leadership.

I remember the day King George VI died, my mother was stricken.  "I feel like I've lost a member of the family."  she said.   As a child, I didn't know how I should feel, but somehow it seemed that something that I had relied upon had been pulled from under my feet.   I think that's how a lot of people felt about King George VI. 

A short time later I heard the phrase, "The King is dead; long live the Queen', and that was the beginning of the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, the child in the movie who is our present queen.  For the first time the phrase, "The King is dead; long live the King" made sense to me.

I loved the movie - I may try to watch it again when it comes back to town to the university theatre, or when it comes out on DVD.  My mother always contended that Edward (David in the movie) realized early on that he wouldn't make a good king and that he avocated recognizing that his brother would do better.   The movie gave a different slant. 

I wondered about Bertie's account of his childhood - strict, judgmental father - favoured older brother - hidden and forgotten handicapped younger brother - being denied food by his 'nanny' - being forced to use his right hand even though he was naturally left-handed.   Does anybody know how much truth was in this? 

I thought the part with Wallace was well done  (did David really call her 'Wallace' rather than use her name?)    I also thought the hint that there was a connection between David and some influential people in Germany was handled well with just a single reference.   I had heard that before - even to the possibility that had David/Edward remained king England might sided with Germany in the late 1930s (unbelievable now - but then?)

Good movie.   I don't see enough to know if it was 'great' but it seems likely that it will stick with me.    Not just an escape evening, pleasant but soon forgotten.  

The closest I can pin it down to is sometime during elementary school.  I didn't get treatment for it until after high school, when I went to Edmonton to take part in a 3-week intensive program adapted from an Australian program.  See, AU is SO influential in my life :3  One of my best friends in HS was a Canadian-Australian.

And stuttering seems to be aboot avoiding stuttering.  All those sounds come from me trying to be fluent and avoid stuttering, which means more stress, and less fluency.  Some days are better than others.  If I am tired, drunk, etc, my fluency is much less.  When I read out loud, sing, act and such my fluency is better.  I was taught skills way back when but I haven't used them in YEARS...the main thing I got from the program is not to be afraid of my stuttering.

I can't help wondering what happened in your life in those elementary school years?

I'm pleased that Aussies have been beneficial in your life - maybe because we kick along by ourselves on an island in the south Pacific -  we have a unique take on life and it's problems?

Just to let you know -I'm going with an American friend to the Opera House to see   Tim Minchin later this month.

I'll let you know if we're the only 50+ in the audience! 

Saw True Grit last night --went to see The King's Speech, but it was at a later time than indicated in the newspaper listing -- still hoping to see it.  True Grit was an awesome film, and hope The King's Speech matches it.

Gotta say, Jim, that for a lot of Aussies, True Grit got the thumbs down.

We needed subtitles for the Jeff Bridges character - it was one incoherent mumble. (You Canucks are so close - you mightn't have had the same problem with the accent?)

The female young lead didn't convince me either. I was always aware she was "acting".

I very much enjoyed the movie.

I wish I knew more about the queen Mum though, to be able to tell how well Helena acted her. I found myself unsure about Rush's character as I was so often reminded of his roles as Captain Barbosa, and in Shine as the unbalanced world class pianist. Perhaps they could have chosen someone less well known.

I liked the swearing scenes, I thought they were very funny, and Mr Firth quite endearing. I also really liked the queen Mum's line, "I do not have a hubby and we do not pop."

Yeah, it was good.

Jim saw both and as I have said it takes two Jewish boys to get calvin - the young woman was a character who was precise that is why she is 'acting' from our perspective - the formal is foreign to our ears . thus worked - did love the kings speech too - but true grit was as good and not a feel good movie like the speech was.

Pan, I get the Calvin bit.

IMO in the USA it's still very much in evidence today.

In retrospect, you have a valid point about "the formal is foreign to our ears" - and may have contributed to me being aware of the female lead "acting".

But, c'mon, True Grit was a typical "feel good" Western.

A teen-age girl and an alcoholic (the "goodies") triumph over men used to handling guns (the "baddies")????

Not bloody likely!

It certainly sounds believable. I know that the Hanoverians (the current House of Windsor, of which George VI was a part, is essentially the direct continuation of the House of Hanover that came to the throne in 1714) have traditionally had difficulties in the relationship of monarch to heir to the throne. From what I've read it was only George VI who ended that "tradition" by being a very loving and attentive father to Elizabeth and Margaret.

As to the movie - I thought it was good, not great. A solid recounting of the story. I liked Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush but was less than enthralled with Helena Bonham Carter.

PP yes there is the hero but he is not noble but broken - the girl is rigid and controlling, not heroic stuff - and in the end there is a sense of lost and incompleteness - She remains stiff and controlling and alone... thus it was not a typical of its genre - no riding out into the sunset, girl gets guy which is part of the genre.

Well said. .......................

This pilgrim will saddle up on her black horse wearing her black hat and ride defeated into the sunset to meet her unenviable demise. 

Gotta say, Helena was better than Geoffrey Rush's character's wife.

You can't "act" an Aussie accent - you've gotta be "dinky-di" (real).

You must be right because even trying as hard as I can I can't really remember his wife or who played her. She obviously made no impression.

The impression she made on me was how much like Meryl Streep she looked.