The King's Speech

Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter, Derek Jacobi. Dir. Tom Hooper (The Damned United). Writer: David Seidler (various TV movies).

The story of King George VI of Britain, his impromptu ascent to the throne, and the speech therapist who makes sure he can talk to his subjects.

If you can set aside the odium of having a monarchy in the first place, which is difficult enough at the moment given the recent announcement of the biggest royal wedding in thirty years, which coincided with the announcement of swingeing cuts to welfare and public services in the UK, presumably to help pay for the wedding... do you know, I'm not sure I can? Didn't take my chill pills today, obviously. Oh look, if I was able to do it for The Queen (the film, not the old parasite) I can do it for this, but really, what are we thinking? A monarch? In this day and age? It's ludicrous.

Anyway.

So, this looks pretty good, as these things go. The cast are wonderful, and it's probably worth watching just for them. I suppose if you take it down to the level of three people trying to step up and do the job in front of them it becomes watchable, and no doubt we will identify with these likeable human beings and their struggle to make their way in the world. But really, isn't it time someone made an anti-monarchy film? Isn't it? Maybe that's the old bomb-thrower in my genes talking.

So if you're into all that royal crap go see it. It'd only make me angry so I won't. I'll watch Michael Collins instead.