I'd seen the trailer, and I wasn't *that* enthralled by it. The trailer itself: the music; the cinematography; the direction reminded me of one film, 'The Queen'. And I didn't like 'The Queen'...
But I sat and watched it - and loved the cast. Absolutely loved the cast. Usually I stay away from Colin Firth as the lead role because he plays the same character, and to be honest, he played the same character again...just with a stammer. No idea how he does it, it might just be his monotonous voice but thankfully Helena Bonham-Carter, Geoffrey Rush, Derek Jacobi and Guy Pearce were there to keep the standard of the film high. They're all very good, and with the exception of Derek Jacobi, the cast were able to step out of their usual roles into their respective roles. Helena BC usually opts to join her partner, Tim Burton, in his strange, sometimes gothic, dark films...and she can get into any role and do it very well and make the role her own. Derek Jacobi does these films all the time, but again, he's still very good. Geoffrey Rush went for the more subtle comedic role in this, and pulled it off perfectly, he has a great persona to carry it off...sometimes I did see a bit of Captain Barbossa in him when he was playing with his kids, but that added to the role, as he was only like that for that one part - it showed his diversity within one role. Brilliant. Guy Pearce is incredible, he was in Christopher Nolan's 'Memento' (watch it if you have time, and want to have your mind put to the test!) and he was also in a favourite of mine, 'The Count of Monte Cristo' as Fernand Mondego. He's great, and despite playing a character with quite a sinister undertone, more a seedy undertone - he does it well. I was a little upset that his sunken cheeks have now gone due to him getting older and putting on some weight...but it didn't take away from his performance.
Essentially, the film is about a guy losing his stammer. That is the premise of the film...you can argue, but the whole film is about this problematic stammer. Somehow they managed to stretch it out to almost 2 hours. I love history, and always have - and I loved being able to link the film's characters to the history knowledge that I had already. I do this with many history films and get annoyed if it's selling itself as an accurate representation, and it blatantly isn't...but this film does well to keep its accuracy and not go off on some fictitious tangent.
As an avid film watcher, I like to think I know what elements of a film are needed to please the general public, and then what pleases the Oscars. I'll tell you right now...the Oscars LOVE films about real people, who overcome a struggle or a problem. And that is seen in the nominations within the best actor or best picture categories...guaranteed.
Proof...here it is.
Last year, 2009. Sandra Bullock won best actress for 'The Blind Side'. A real person who overcame everyone in order to adopt this black teenage boy.
In 2008, Angelina Jolie was nominated for best actress for her role in 'Changeling' - one which I think she deserved to have won but Kate Winslet finally won an Oscar. In the same year, 'Frost/Nixon' and 'Milk' were nominated for best picture...again, about real events. Sean Penn won best actor for his role as Harvey Milk, in 'Milk'.
In 2007, virtually unknown (at the time) Marion Cotillard won best actress for 'La Vie en Rose'
2006 gave nominations to 'Letters from Iwo Jima', and 'The Queen'. Helen Mirren won for her role as Queen Elizabeth, and Forest Whitaker won best actor for his performance as Idi Amin in 'The Last King of Scotland'.
What a shocking year 2005 was. Everyone thought 'Brokeback Mountain' would win...but 'Crash' was the surprise winner. Others nominations were 'Capote' and 'Munich'. This was my favourite year of the Academy Awards as Reese Witherspoon won for her role as June Carter in 'Walk the Line', Joaquin Phoenix was nominated too for his performance as Johnny Cash but was beaten by worthy winner, Philip Seymour Hoffman in 'Capote'.
Other notable mentions are Hilary Swank...who has two best actress awards to show for 'Million Dollar Baby' and 'Boys Don't Cry' - these are incredible films about real women. Charlize Theron for 'Monster'. Nicole Kidman for 'The Hours' and Julia Roberts for 'Erin Brockovich'. 'Million Dollar Baby' also won Best Picture in 2004, and 'A Beautiful Mind' in 2001.
This year, there are 10 films nominated for Best Picture, out of these 10. Three are real adaptations. '127 Hours', 'The King's Speech' and 'The Social Network'. Now, I'd love to see 'Inception' win...but I doubt it will. 'The King's Speech' has more of an Oscar feel to it than the others, but who knows, 'The Social Network' did win a surprise Best Picture at the Golden Globes. Who knows?
This year in the Best Actress category, there are no "real" stories...so I'll go with Natalie Portman in 'Black Swan' - she's won everything else. And in the Best Actor category, we have three nominations. Colin Firth, James Franco, and Jesse Eisenberg... Colin Firth has been around the Oscars longer, everyone knows him, he's well known in the Academy Awards side of the Hollywood industry...this is why it'll be unlikely if James Franco or Jesse Eisenberg win. Despite the fact that I thought '127 Hours' shows more of a physical struggle as Aaron Ralston actually has to cut his arm off to survive, than what 'The King's Speech' provides. But I really really hope Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham-Carter win for their performances. I think they will.
'The King's Speech' is good, but is way over hyped... I enjoyed it, but won't be buying it when it hits the shelves....sorry kids.
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