Movie Review: ****^The King's Speech (2010)

 The King's Speech won the Oscar for best film in 2010 and Colin Firth won the Oscar for best actor.  Firth portrays King George VI.  He had a bad temper, which was mostly brought on by his stuttering.  He had tried public speaking and failed miserably.  The movie is about his speech teacher, who works with him, overcoming his stuttering which was based on some childhood experience with one of his nannies.  Geoffrey Rush portrays the teacher, Lionel Logue.

This movie has a great cast as it brings back Pride and Prejudice actors and Harry Potter actors.  Jennifer Ehle portrays the wife of of the teacher.  Helena Bonham Carter portrays The King's wife Queen Elizabeth.  It was she who found and arranged for the teacher.  Their daughter who would become Queen Elizabeth and reign for 70 years is portrayed as a teenager.  Michael Gambon portrays George V, Timothy Spall Winston Churchill.  Lastly, King George's older brother is portrayed by Guy Pearce.  The older brother was king for a short time but relinqushed his claim to the throne so he could marry a commoner.

I was very moved by this film.  I thing that makes it work is the relationship between The Duke who became the king and the speech teacher.  It shows the courage of the king to face his weakness and fight for it to become not quite such a problem.  The movie ends with his giving a Christmas speech via radio after he had become king.

This film is based on a true story.  Because of his temper the King must have used the F word in the film enough to garner an R rating.  However currently there is a PG!# version available on BYUtv. 

Movie Review: *****Pride and Prejudice X 4

*****^Pride and Prejudice(1995) ****^(1940) *****(2005) *****(1980)

This is not  review in the traditional sense, but a comparison of four different versions of Pride and Prejudice.  These four include the first one I saw, which is the 1995 six tape series with Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth in the lead roles.  I then saw the new movie, 2005, with Keira Knightley and Mathew Macfadyen in the lead roles.  I have recently been introduced to two new versions via Netflix.  One is 1980 BBC with Elizabeth Garvie and David Rintoul in the lead roles which is available through Instant Netflix. The other was a Netflix DVD, 1940 with Greer Garson and Laurence Olivier.

First generally reviewing of these movies.  They are all classics, and the story is classic. The first version actually takes the most liberties with the story.  Lady DuBourg is in league with Mr. Darcy, rather than actually upset.  The 1980 BBC version is actually the most modest.  However the version I first saw was the Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth.  This one highlights the figures of the women in a very pleasing manner.  And the Keira Knightley has a more rural feel to it, with pigs on the screen, and Keira Knightley is always beautiful, but no miracle bra is going to do wonders, so this version is more modest as well.

Eliza  I love Jennifer Ehle in this role, and her walking every place.  However the character in the 1940 version, captures much more passion for me.  So I must vote for Greer Garson as my favorite Eliza.

Mr. Darcy  In similar fashion I must say Laurence Olivier captures the romance of the film in the most placing manner.  I was introduced to this role form Colin Firth, who is a great actor, and one of my favorite.  However the way this role is played by Laurence Olivier is classic.  

Mr. Bennet is a wonderful character, who actually grows and matures from the experiences with regards to Lydia.  I must admit I prefer the character from the 2005 movie best from Donald Sutherland, just based on the way he presents one of my favorite lines, "If any other men come to marry any my daughters, send them in; I am quite at my leisure." Classic!  His smile is just perfect.

Mr Bingley  I like the Mr. Bingley from the six tape series.  He is just a happy young man, no one can help but like him. Lydia is such a clueless wonder in this version I have to love her. Mrs Bennet with her loud laughing and talking takes the day in this version as well.  Mr Collins, the cousin who is set to entail the estate, is such a nerd and brown noser in this version he is funny.  And his wife, Charlotte, is played in just the perfect fashion. Kitty is so good lamenting at her father's rebuke in this version.  Her cry is just perfect. 

Mr Darcy's cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliams is most enjoyable in the 1940 version as the actor is in a kilt.  Fun.  Miss Jane Bennet is the most beautiful in the 1940 version.  The last scene where Mr. Bingley proposes, and she cries through it.  That is fun.

Mr. Bingley's sister is the most sinister in the 1940 version.  Mary is at her worse in such a  truly delightful way in the version as well.

The bottom line is I love this story, and each of these version is a pleasure to watch.

Movie Review: *****^Pride and Prejudice: My Favorite Movie Ever

My most favorite movie of all time is the Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth, 1995, Pride and Prejudice British Television Drama.  This is a six part portrayal of the Jane Austen classic.  I finished viewing it for the upteenth time this past weekend.  I must admit I prefer it to all other versions of Pride and Prejudice, including the Mormon version, the Keira Knightly version, or older versions I have seen.

As I watched, I tried to figure out why I like this presentation so much.   I think it is the feisty nature of Miss Elizabeth Bennett.  However I must admit, the mother of the family intrigues me as well.  Her attitude I find humorous, and human.  The father also is humorous, but in a different way. 

I am thrilled with the reaction of Elizabeth Bennet to the first marriage proposal from Mr Darcy.  When she reacts to him with a flat refusal and says that nothing would tempt her, even if he had "behaved in a more gentlemanly manner."  And then to watch people change thrills me.  Bot Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy change, and the most beautiful love blossoms in the end.

I think the real reason I like this so much, is because it always leaves me feeling good in the end.  After watching this movie, that happy buzz stays wit me for a few days.