The King's Speech

Unfortunately, being a poor graduate student saving almost every penny of her money for summer in Europe can make day-to-day life beforehand a real drag, particularly when you love going to the movies as much as myself. Thankfully, it's the 21st century, meaning that just because I don't have the money to spare to go to the cinema doesn't mean I don't get the opportunity to watch great films. Thank the Social Construct for internet and probably-not-so-legal methods of watching awesome films fo freeeeee. Lucky for Oscar, there were a plethora of oot-bay eg-lay Oscar-nominated films online and I was feeling too lazy tonight to do any work other than to grade my students' French exams so I decided after watching True Grit to watch the King's Speech. Flavia, extreme anglophile living under the delusion that she's actually Irish and not, in fact, Spanish, recommended the King's Speech over and over and over again over the course of the past few weeks so maybe now she'll shut her face that I've seen the film and ADORED it.

So, The King's Speech. Excuse me while I soak up my tears. I had been wanting to see this film for quite some time. Let's face it ladies and gentlemen, Colin Firth is one of the most attractive men alive. Although I haven't seen the BBC Version of Pride and Prejudice YET (I know, I know, quelle horreur!), he's good in everything he does (A Single Man, Bridget Jones's Diary, Love Actually *siiiigh*) and I cannot stop myself from melting at the sound of his adorable English accent.

Many times throughout The King's Speech I couldn't stop myself from tearing up due in part to the great cast, story, musical score, but mostly to the never-ending internal struggle that Firth demonstrated flawlessly in the form of Prince Albert/King George VI. Throughout the film I found myself getting angry at Bertie for acting like such a petulant child towards those trying to help him, then feeling sorry for him because he himself felt like he was still that young boy ceaselessly mocked for his speech impediment, then being overwhelmingly proud of him when he made progress, then angry at him for shutting down, then being proud of him, etc. Following Bertie's journey was an emotional roller coaster to say the least. To me, that's one of the marks of a talented actor, if you're capable of inciting love, anger, pity, and pride in the viewer in the span of 117 minutes.

Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter were both excellent as well in the film. The moment we find out the true identity of Rush's Logue is astounding and amazing. It truly demonstrates that degrees and certificates sometimes serve only as a smokescreen, and that it is true human connection that leads to mutual understanding. It was nice to see Helena in a non-Tim Burton/Chuck Palahniuk role. She nailed normalcy. Who knew she had it in her?

If Eisenberg wins over Colin for best actor, I will be sad. Although, I've heard that the cast of the Fighter is even better. Maybe I'll watch that one next.

Updated Ranking!

1. Black Swan
2. Inception
3. The King's Speech
4. True Grit
5. Toy Story 3
6. The Social Network