The King's Speech (2010)

When God couldn't save The King, The Queen turned to someone who could.

Excellent script, joining the ranks of works of fiction that cast political leaders in the central role(s), capitalising on the perceived inherent significance and gravitas, i.e. raised stakes, of such folk. In this story, the film-makers cleverly tie the protagonist's strong personal stakes (a wish to overcome stuttering) to national - even international - political imperatives (the need for live public speaking from the leader of state).

The scenes of greatest interest are those between George (Firth) and Logue (Rush), charting the various vocal techniques used, the progress of treatment, and the ebb and flow of the relationship between the two.

Much of the fun to be had is in seeing Logue stand up against the ideas of Royal prerogative. Perhaps another component of our enjoyment is that of schadenfreude, the spectacle of a member of the Royal Family, that highest class of Briton, being brought low, at least to a common level with us, by personal handicap. With all their wealth, they too are not immune to the ailments of the common man. Hah! In your face, aristo!

Great central performances by the three leads, Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter. Never warmed to Rush before (Smile, for instance, inspired respect for acting ability, but not liking) but here he is persuasive and likeable. Carter is spot on as George's wife, the Queen Mother to be.

Interesting as an insight into the life of the Royal Family of the time, and to see how, as George admits, until his dealings with Logue, he had been almost entirely isolated from "common" people.

As Mark Kermode said, how strange when the happy ending of a film hinges on a declaration of war.

• Rating: Full price
• When seen: 22 Jan 2011
• Where seen: Cinema
• More information: IMDB | RottenTomatoes | Wikipedia

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Amendments: added actor tags: "Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter, Guy Pearce, Timothy Spall, Derek Jacobi, Jennifer Ehle, Michael Gambon". Removed link to Wikipedia-sourced image. Added ranking image.

The Road (2009)

In a moment the world changed forever

It's a hard movie to watch, unrelenting: dark, dirty, full of violence, pain and despair. Apart from the full-colour flashbacks, the palette is reduced to muted dark colours, greys, browns, blues, as nuclear winter - as it seems, though never specified - takes its toll. I wept at the end. Don't know if I'd want to watch it again anytime soon.

The story is harsh, with humans pitted against their own loss of humanity and dropping of all moral behaviour in the face of starvation, with other people resorting to extremes in the their need for food. The father, Viggo Mortgenson, fights to remain "one of the good guys" in the eyes of his son. They are on a quest to the coast, but it becomes clear that the quest may have an ulterior purpose. The question underlying the protagonists' quest is whether there is really the possibility of a safe haven anywhere on earth. If not, what should a good man do? What should a good father do?

The performances by Mortgensen and the boy (Smit-McPhee) are brilliant, and supporting character actors met along the way are also excellent.

• Rating: Full price
• When seen: 10 Oct 2010
• Where seen: Home
• More information: IMDB | RottenTomatoes | Wikipedia

Amendments: Added writer tag: "Joe Penhall"; actor tags: "Kodi Smit-McPhee, Robert Duvall, Charlize Theron, Guy Pearce". Removed link to Wikipedia-sourced image. Added ranking image.