At the 83rd Academy Awards, The King’s Speech won the Academy Award for Best Picture, Best Director (Hooper), Best Actor (Firth), and Best Original Screenplay (Seidler) and received 12 Oscar nominations, more than any other film this year. This film was a major box office and critical success. It’s undoubtedly a classic movie.
The King’s Speech was set in England in the 1920s and 1930s, and it focuses on the British monarchy. The film opens with Prince Albert, Duke of York , the second son of King George V, speaking at the close of the 1925 British Empire Exhibition at Wembley Stadium, with his wife Elizabeth by his side. But he was a King unable to speak to his people due to his severe stammer. In order to overcome his problem and deal with the matters at hand, he tries several unsuccessful treatments and gives up. At last, his wife persuades him to see an Australian speech therapist named Lionel Loguean. At first, Bertie ( Duke’s family name) is reluctant to receive treatment. However, after Logue making a bet with Bertie and Bertie realizing the importance of broadcasting for the modern monarchy in a perilous international situation, he begins to accept the treatment by using some unique techniques. They work together on muscle relaxation and breath control, while Logue gently probes the psychological roots of Bertie’s stammer. Bertie soon reveals some of the pressures of his childhood. Gradually, Lionel and Bertie become good friends. Soon the training makes effect. Bertie make a Christmas speech. He makes a great progress though the speech is not very good. On 20 January 1936, George V dies, and his brother David accedes to the throne as King Edward VIII, but David still want to marry a divorced woman which will not accepted by the Congress. In order to spend his life with that woman, David finally abdicate to marry, Bertie becomes King George VI. Although Logue’s techniques really work, Bertie is still lack of confidence and have difficulties in making a perfect speech when he is in the public. He still needs Logue’s help after the treatment is over. So the king insists that Logue be seated in the king's box during his coronation in Westminster Abbey.Upon the September 1939 declaration of war with Germany, Bertie summons Logue to Buckingham Palace to help him prepare for his radio speech to the country. The king delivers his speech as if to Logue, who coaches him through every moment. The king makes a perfect speech like a professional announcer with the help of Logue. During the World War II, Bertie makes a lot of speeches which give England People courage and inspiration. Logue is always company him when he is making speeches. Bertie and Logue remain their friendship all their lives.
The King's Speech is a 2010 British historical drama film directed by Tom Hooper and written by David Seidler. Its themes are courage, responsibility, and the necessity to place duty above personal pleasure or contentment. In The King's Speech, Colin Firth delivers the best performance of his career as the Duke of York——the central character in the whole movie. This character is well-built. When facing the public , he reveals his fear and depression to speech; when facing the doctor, he is easily becoming bad tempered because his self-esteem frustration ;when facing his father and brother, he always becomes humble and cowardice. Colin Firth performed accurately of the character’s emotion and expression in the different situations on the screen. The other two actors, Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter , are also have fabulous performance in the film.
After I watch this movie, I was really moved, not only for Bertie’s finally success, but also for their precious friendship. Bertie’s difficulties remind me of my own experiences. As a student, I always have a lot of presentations, speeches, debates to do. I was always very nervous when I was asked to speak in the public. I feel freezing and my hands are shaking slightly. I also can not focus my attention when I was delivering a speech. Public speech is a great challenge. Comparatively speaking, Bertie is in a worse situation-he is a stammer. But he never gives up. He keeps training with the help of his dear friend, overcome his own psychological problems, fight with his own fearness, and he finally makes it. He deserves it for his hard working and courage.
Bertie and Logue’s friendship is admirable. A true friend is hard to find, but a life-long friendship is more difficult to maintain. At first, Bertie is reluctant to talk to Logue and let Logue to call his family name. but Logue’s generous help finally moved him. Logue usually help him and give him courage by using some strange ways. That is also very interesting. Gradually, Bertie begin to treat him as a friend and tell him his personal things as well as true feelings. I hope I can have a friend like that, always company me when I am facing troubles, comfort me and help me. Finding a true friend will also be a goal in my life time.\
The King’s Speech superbly balances the dramatic and comedic elements of the story. It looks fantastic from the beginning to the end. I think we can set King George VI as an good example to fight with difficulties.