I'm so busy with my two little guys that I don't get out to the movies much, or at all really, but I am excited to see The King's Speech with Colin Firth eventually. It's supposed to be amazing and Firth is nominated for an Oscar for his performance of George VI of England.
Now, I don't subscribe to the belief that Firth is particularly attractive (sorry, ladies!) and I've never understood the preoccupation with Jane Austen's Mr. Darcy, or Firth's portrayal of him. Darcy was an egocentric jerk, if you ask me, and his only real attraction was his money and his property. But that's a story for another day.
I do, however, think that Colin Firth is an incredible actor and truly gifted, and I recently watched A Single Man, the directorial debut of fashion designer Tom Ford (who is really handsome and was born in Austin), starring Firth as a closeted gay professor mourning the tragic death of his partner. It was beautifully written and directed and, in true Ford manner, every aspect of the piece was styled to perfection. Firth was nominated for that role last year, as well. Maybe this year he'll finally win.
Anyway, though I haven't seen this year's movie about King George VI's valiant efforts to conquer his shortcomings while leading England through World War II, I did finally watch the Masterpiece Theatre version from 2002, called Bertie & Elizabeth. This version focuses upon the loving marriage of the king and his wife, England's beloved Queen Mum, and their willingness to accept the throne after his older brother famously abdicated to marry Wallis Simpson, a divorced American woman.
Bertie, as King George was known, struggled with an embarrassing stutter for most of his life, and through the support of his wife and the help of a speech therapist, he was able to overcome it. I'm guessing that's the premise of Firth's movie, too, and from the previews I've seen, some of the scenes are incredibly similar to the Masterpiece version.
The story is so romantic and unique that audiences can't help but fall in love with the characters, and the fact that it's based on actual events in the lives of the parents of the current Queen of England makes it all the more appealing. I can't wait to watch and I'll be cheering for Colin Firth at the Oscars.
