Between the Pages

This award laden film tells the story of King George VI, father of Queen Elizabeth II.  When Albert’s (Bertie, later King George) brother, King Edward VIII abdicates due to his desire to marry two time divorcee Wallis Simpson, Bertie becomes King and has to lead his country through some troubled time, with the threat of World War II looming.  His stammer has hampered him throughout his life, and he enlists the help of unconventional Australian speech therapist, Lionel Logue to help him conquer the problem, and address the nation confidently.

The movie won four Oscars, and was nominated for a further eight.  It also won five Baftas and was nominated for a further seven (three of the five Bafta awards were for the three lead actors, Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter).  I certainly believe that the awards were well deserved.  Firth is simply brilliant as King George, and Rush and Carter are also excellent.

The story may have been well known before the film was made, but it is still compelling to watch.  It’s impossible not to feel for ‘Bertie’; thrown into a role which he did not want or feel able to do, and at a time of unrest and grave concern, the pressure upon him must have been immense.  Carter really makes the audience believe in her love for her husband, and shows the Queen Mother as a strong minded woman.  Rush provides some moments of light comic relief, and his growing admiration for the King is well portrayed.  Although Guy Pearce is not often mentioned for his role as King Edward, he played a great, largely unsympathetic part (but it was also hard not to feel for him also, torn between his love for Wallis Simpson, and his duty to the country).

Overall, definitely worth the critical acclaim it received, and highly recommended watch.

Year of release: 2010

Director: Tom Hooper

Writer: David Seidler

Main cast: Colin Firth, Helena Bonham Carter, Geoffrey Rush