We’ve just got home from watching this film at the local cinema, and what a treat it was. Some great comedy alongside moments of fist clenching tension as Colin Firth portrayed the agonies of someone with a stammer forced to make a speech. All the actors involved – and there were many big names – were excellent, including Guy Pearce as the Duke of Windsor. Quite a long way from Ramsay Street! Timothy Spall’s Churchill growl was marvellous.
I’m not sure about Oscar nominations, though. I don’t know if the Yanks will be able to cope with court etiquette. As soon as George V had been pronounced dead, Queen Mary had to curtsey to her eldest son. And the USA did not have to deal with Hitler’s trickery and lies as Britain did, with the population desperate for reassurance that there was a strong king on the throne.
Boadicea's Chariot 
I am going to see this film on Wednesday – can’t wait. Thanks for your views.
I haven’t yet heard a bad review, so I hope I don’t end up being disappointed when I see it…
I know what you mean, Pseu. Hope you enjoy it when you do see it. Husband ranked it as even better than “The Queen”. Don’t know what you thought of that one.
Hello Nicole. 🙂
I saw The Queen and was very impressed.
Hello Nicole – welcome!
I think that I will go see this film later this week.
Y y y yes, I’m going to see it this afternoon. Thanks for the review. I was wondering if my interest will be held for so long – one a half hours is a mighty long speech!
PPG,
Yes but without the stammer it would only be 10 mins. 🙂
Welcome Nicole, another new member brilliant! Please make yourself at home.
Hello, Nicole! And welcome from us t(w)o(o)! I’ve just seena documentary about Edward VIII’s nazi aspirations. We can be happy he was pushed out and George VI became king. His treatnment for his problem was very modern by contemporary standards.
Certainly Edward VIII did not come across as a warm and wonderful human being in the film. It reminded me that in “Upstairs Downstairs” shown over the festive season, the Duke of Kent made one or two appearances, bewailing his brother’s pigheadedness and lack of a sense of duty. He was joining the government in persuading the press barons to keep the whole affair under wraps.
I’m looking forward to seeing it too, thanks sheona for your review.
Hello Nicole, and welcome.
The ‘victim’ in the whole sorry affair was George, himself!
Yes exactly, zenrules. The poor man was, as he said, a naval officer, not the heir to the throne.
Sheona I saw the film yesterday and was very moved. Yes I am a big softie but I believed in Colin Firth’s portrayal and would readily put him up for an Oscar. Perhaps it was a bit like acting within a straight-jacket such were the contortions in projecting speech, but I felt the weight of expectation upon him; there were touching moments between himself and his therapist. Whoever scripted the film is brilliant, balanced just about right I think. And why wasn’t Edward put in the tower! Is there any report on the Queen’s responses to the film? Surely it must have moved her to tears.