The King's Speech

Lots of hype about this film, of course, with Colin Firth tipped for Oscar glory.  He certainly immerses himself in the part of the stuttering King and does a fine job.  Actually, so do all the actors, many of whom bear more than a fleeting resemblance to the historical figures they are playing.  Although the plot centres on the speech problems of the King and the unconventional means his Aussie speech therapist uses to help him, the film takes us through a crucial period of history, with King Edward abdicating and England declaring war on Germany.
   It’s a good, solid film but I don’t think it’s quite up to all the hype it’s getting.  I found it a little flat, a little devoid of tension.  I didn’t really expect there to be much action, and there wasn’t, but I did expect more in the way of dramatic tension to keep me on the edge of my seat.  Well, I watched and I enjoyed, but I slumped and didn’t twitch once with shock or excitement.  My other half actually dozed off.
   Go and see it if you like character driven stories and have a vague inkling of how important it was for King George to be able to speak properly.  Otherwise, surprisingly, I’d suggest giving it a miss.
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