DIFF FILMS

FOR THE YEAR 2010

THE KING’S SPEECH

United Kingdom / 2010 / English dialogue with Arabic subtitles / Colour / 35 mm / 118 mins

Genre: Drama, Historical

Cast & Credits

Director: Tom Hooper
Producer: Emile Sherman, Gareth Unwin, Iain Canning
Scriptwriter: David Seidler
Cinematographer: Danny Cohen
Editor: Tariq Anwar
Composer: Alexandre Desplat
Cast (in alphabetical order): Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Guy Pearce, Helena Bonham Carter

Synopsis

The diffident Duke of York (Colin Firth) is the younger son of King George V. Just as well as 'Bertie', as he's known to his family, is a shy man afflicted with a dreadful stammer that makes public speaking a nightmare. Though he may not be first in line to the throne he still has to make speeches and, after many failed attempts, his wife Elizabeth finds an unlikely solution in the colourful form of Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush), an eccentric Australian actor/speech therapist whose method of dealing with the King's speech impediment employs a variety of decidedly unorthodox treatments. Then, when Great Britain is entering the final cycle of failed diplomacy before World War Two, King Edward VIII (Guy Pearce) abdicates, so that he can marry American divorcee, Wallis Simpson. Primed to take over at this crucial moment in the country's history and given the advent of mass broadcasting Bertie is faced with a gigantic test with which only Lionel can help. Driven by a dry, witty yet warm and generous script based on Logue's diaries, staffed with an A-list cast on top form (Firth is nothing short of magnificent) and shot with verve and vitality, this absolute gem of a drama is one of the year's most-buzzed successes.

Contains: Strong language 15+