Whilst one would believe a film about a stammer to be uninteresting, Tom Hooper (The Damned United) somehow turns a rather odd and unusual premise into a film formed by two incredible individual performances.
Colin Firth stars as King George IV, who takes to the throne at Hitler's peak, upon realising that his brother is not fit for purpose. In order to deliver an awe-inspiring and morale-boosting speech to show defiance to the outside evils that are the Nazis, he has to take lessons in reducing the overwhelming hindrance that is his devastating stammer, formed in childhood and having accompanied him ever since.
Whilst the film itself is wonderfully shot, and features some veteran actors in Helena Bonham Carter and Derek Jacobi, the stand-out performers are of course Firth, and his 'teacher', one Geoffrey Rush. His full-bodied speeches, his absorbing lectures and his sheer presence on-screen make his character one the audience can emotionally invest in. Whilst the Oscar may go to Firth for what is an uncharacteristic performance, given that the roles he usually opts for ooze confidence and charisma, Rush is superb herein, and deserves any and all merit he receives for what is a real eye-opener.
8/10
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