The Kings Speech

What a delightful film.  I've been seeing quite a few biopics of royalty of late, and this one is the most charming of them I've seen, the other notable one being "Young Victoria".

It is always a treat to Helena Boneham Carter, and in this she brought a wonderful lightness to Queen Elizabeth (Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother that is).  This film spans the same period as the miniseries "Edward and Mrs Simpson" which took up the story of Edward and his relationship with the America Divorce.  Worth checking out, a young Edward Fox, amongst others.

The whole affair, though a lot of serious tragedy is involved, is a typically light British film.  The characters, not lovable, are at least easy to identify with.  You feel pity for 'Bertie, you start wishing Elizabeth were an aunt or some such in your family.



I wasn't sure what to think of Timothy Spall as Churchill.  Spall is, in my opinion, a much underused actor on the silver screen, though he is very active on British TV.  Still, he filled the role well; though it was only a minor character in the film, it is one that everyone knows, and will heavily criticize if done wrong.

Overall a fun film, though I'm not sure how well it will be received amongst royalists as it shows a perceived weakness in someone traditionally regarded as a great leader in war time.  Personally I believe it shows him as stronger, overcoming the issues.

Rated D/A/N