Comments on: Notes on The King’s Speech

By: jennifer

jennifer — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 20:03:53 +0000

PS I definitely have The Kids are Alright, The Social Network,and Winter’s Bone on the list of must-sees. Just finished reading WB which was chilling but beautiful.

By: jennifer

jennifer — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 18:24:15 +0000

Great observations, Larousse. Did not realize that Bertie died of lung cancer – easy to see how that happened. I knew that Elizabeth took the throne in 1952 when she was still a very young woman – and look how long she has reigned. It was cute to see how she was portrayed in the movie, even as a little girl, as rather strong-natured (“You faltered at first, Father!”) From various accounts I’ve read over the years, my impression of David is that yes, he was ruled by self-interest. I wonder if King George V really did feel that Bertie was the strongest of all of his sons.

By: Larousse

Larousse — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 15:31:02 +0000

I saw The King’s Speech this weekend, which is the only one of the nominated films I’ve seen (don’t get out much!) It was wonderful and lived up to all my expectations, in fact I’m thinking about going to see it again while it’s still on at my local cinema.
I think Colin Firth deserves an Oscar, he was brilliant as George VI. I wonder if he’s seen the film himself, because there were a lot of close-ups of him looking like he was about to cough up a fur-ball. My hubby has a stammer, but compared to Bertie’s, his is just an occasional slip of the tongue!
Helena Bonham-Carter looked *just* like I imagine the Queen Mother would have been in those days. Although I thought Lionel should have had a more pronounced Australian accent. Maybe, being a speech therapist, he gave himself elocution lessons. I was intrigued about Wallis and how she had such an influence on David. Was he really such a self-centered coward, only thinking of himself and his girlfriend?
Sad to realise that Bertie died very young aged 56, of lung cancer (should have listed to Lionel on that score!)

By: Emily

Emily — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 22:32:10 +0000

I havent seen any of the nominated films sadly but perhaps will get to one at some point. I will however, watch the Oscars and root for the underdog(s).

By: Jeane

Jeane — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 21:31:58 +0000

A stutterer wouldn’t work in the quick, witty, Aaron Sorkin dialogue of The Social Network. People said they liked Inception because they thought they’d seem dumb if they didn’t get it. It was too much. Winters Bone is disturbingly good. Let’s just say they don’t dress like royals. It still haunts me.

By: Lindsay

Lindsay — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 16:25:38 +0000

Did not have an interest in seeing Social Network but was pleasantly surprised. I liked the Kids Are Alright and do think Annette Bening was able to convey so much just from her facial expressions.

By: lindacopy

lindacopy — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 15:04:39 +0000

Watched The King’s Speech over the weekend. I agree with you wholeheartedly, Jennifer. Just loved it (although I do think Social Network deserves some awards, too). One of my dear childhood friends is a stutterer, and so much of this story rang true.
I even enjoyed Helena Bonham Carter, and if that sounds like a weird thing to say about such a good actress, it’s just that I’m so TIRED of her being cast in all of her husband (Tim Burton)’s movies that I didn’t really want to see her again. But she was perfect in this role.
My dear brother shared his SAG copy — yes, he actually gets to vote in the Oscars! — so I can watch it again.

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 14:03:07 +0000

Sadly, I haven’t made it to see The King’s Speech yet.

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 14:02:23 +0000

Believe it or not, I have seen SIX of the ten nominated films (and I say that proudly because I have a five month old baby). Black Swan is an artfully done horror film (I closed my eyes for nearly half the movie). I loved True Grit. But I’m rooting for The Kids Are Alright — which I know won’t won — because a friend of mine from high school produced the film!