Feb 14

Feb 14 The King’s Speech (2010)

The moving story of King George VI and his tribulations from a speech impediment marks a triumph of modern cinema. Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter are wonderful, but Colin Firth is brilliant as the king. Subtle and seamless, Mr. Firth merits an Academy Award. The film excels in its writing, directing, cinematography, and editing. A sure Best Pic nom. See it.

Note: The King’s Speech ended up winning Best Picture, and Colin Firth won Best Actor. Also, both Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter netted Academy Award nominations for their supporting roles. The film also garnered Oscars for Best Director and Best Original Screenplay, along with six additional noms.

(out of *)

2010 • 1 HOUR, 58 MINUTES
THE WEINSTEIN COMPANY • UK FILM COUNCIL • MOMENTUM PICTURES • AEGIS FILM FUND • MOLINARE • LONDON FILMNATION ENTERTAINMENT • SEE SAW FILMS • BEDLAM

STARRING
• COLIN FIRTH, GEOFFREY RUSH

ALSO STARRING
• HELENA BONHAM CARTER, GUY PEARCE, TIMOTHY SPALL, DEREK JACOBI, JENNIFER EHLE, MICHAEL GAMBON

WRITTEN BY
• DAVID SEIDLER

DIRECTED BY
• TOM HOOPER

2010 ACADEMY AWARDS (4)
• BEST PICTURE
• BEST ACTOR: COLIN FIRTH
• BEST DIRECTOR: TOM HOOPER
• BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

ADDITIONAL 2010 ACADEMY AWARD NOMINATIONS (8)
• BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: GEOFFREY RUSH (LOST TO CHRISTIAN BALE FOR THE FIGHTER)
• BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: HELENA BONHAM CARTER (LOST TO MELISSA LEO FOR THE FIGHTER)
• BEST ART DIRECTION (LOST TO ALICE IN WONDERLAND)
• BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY (LOST TO INCEPTION)
• BEST COSTUME DESIGN (LOST TO ALICE IN WONDERLAND)
• BEST FILM EDITING (LOST TO THE SOCIAL NETWORK)
• BEST ORIGINAL SCORE (LOST TO THE SOCIAL NETWORK)
• BEST SOUND MIXING (LOST TO INCEPTION)