The King's Speech (2010)

All Critics (233) | Top Critics (44) | Fresh (221) | Rotten (14) | DVD (13)

A powerful back story does not necessarily improve a movie, but The King's Speech has a pretty irresistible one. It might even end with a dramatic night at the Oscars in February.

February 16, 2013 Full Review

Rafer Guzman

Newsday

Top Critic

In The King's Speech, Colin Firth once again reminds us of what a great actor he is.

February 16, 2013 Full Review

Stephen Whitty

Newark Star-Ledger

Top Critic

Classic, rousing entertainment loaded with both humor and poignancy.

February 16, 2013

Tom Long

Detroit News

Top Critic

The King's Speech is the rare work of art that's also an immense crowdpleaser.

February 16, 2013 Full Review

Lou Lumenick

New York Post

Top Critic

Too ingratiating to resonate deeply.

February 16, 2013 Full Review

Manohla Dargis

New York Times

Top Critic

The King's Speech is simultaneously cozy and majestic.

September 7, 2011 Full Review

Lisa Schwarzbaum

Entertainment Weekly

Top Critic

It is a wonderful entertainment, a fascinating history lesson and a showcase for several delightful performances.

February 16, 2013 Full Review

Jay Stone

Canada.com

A polite, occasionally rousing, and more often than not, boring affair.

February 16, 2013 Full Review

Christopher Kelly

Fort Worth Star-Telegram/DFW.com

A charming, personal period drama.

February 16, 2013 Full Review

Thelma Adams

Us Weekly

See it, then say it for yourself: The King's Speech is the best movie of 2010.

February 16, 2013 Full Review

Steve Persall

Tampa Bay Times

With a backdrop this large, The King's Speech can't help but seem monosyllabic.

February 16, 2013 Full Review

Ben Kenigsberg

Time Out Chicago

It's a fine, absorbing work, built with brilliance and without excessive showiness or flash. It feels, in fact, like a classic virtually upon its arrival.

February 16, 2013 Full Review

Shawn Levy

Oregonian

The relationship between a commoner teacher and regal student provides for enough drama, and the obstacle overcome is both inspiring and unique.

February 16, 2013 Full Review

Josh Jackson

Paste Magazine

Polished, thoughtful and touching.

February 16, 2013 Full Review

Lawrence Toppman

Charlotte Observer

Inspiring, funny, touching, and delivered with craftsmanship and artistry.

February 16, 2013 Full Review

Perry Seibert

TV Guide's Movie Guide

It's refreshing to see a historical drama avoid grand gestures and sweeping melodrama in favor of smaller more intimate stories.

February 16, 2013 Full Review

Matthew Odam

Austin American-Statesman

The King's Speech is admirably free of easy answers and simple, happy endings; it's a skewed, awards-ready version of history, but one polished to a fine, satisfying shine.

February 16, 2013 Full Review

Tasha Robinson

AV Club

A feel-good movie with a hearty dose of history and a hint of edge, a most-deserving Oscar winner

January 15, 2013 Full Review

Roger Moore

McClatchy-Tribune News Service

Despite the obvious movie structure that gets forced onto historical events, The King's Speech is a terrific film with great performances and an inspiring story.

October 4, 2012 Full Review

Ben Kendrick

ScreenRant

It's not quite the world-beating effort the British film press might have you thinking it is, but it's a perfectly functional, frequently enjoyable biopic that knows the right buttons to push and has all the right people pushing them.

September 28, 2012 Full Review

Ali Gray

TheShiznit.co.uk

It's a wonderfully delightful film filled with great performances, particularly from Firth and Rush. This is one of the best films of the year and should not be missed.

September 22, 2012 Full Review

Jeff Beck

Examiner.com

• 1. George 'Bertie' VI: For the second time in the lives of most of us we are at war. Over and over again we have tried to find a peaceful way out of the differences between ourselves and those who are now our enemies. But it has been in vain. We have been forced into a conflict. For we are called, with our allies, to meet the challenge of a principle which, if it were to prevail, would be fatal to any civilized order in the world. Such a principle, stripped of all disguise, is surely the mere primitive doctrine that might is right. For the sake of all that we ourselves hold dear, and of the world?s order and peace, it is unthinkable that we should refuse to meet the challenge. It is to this high purpose that I now call my people at home and my peoples across the seas, who will make our cause their own. I ask them to stand calm and firm, and united in this time of trial. The task will be hard. There may be dark days ahead, and war can no longer be confined to the battlefield. But we can only do the right as we see the right and reverently commit our cause to God.
  – Submitted by Jean R (47 days ago)
• 1. George 'Bertie' VI: I'm not here to discuss personal matters.
  2. Lionel Logue: Why are you here then?
  3. George 'Bertie' VI: Because I bloody well stammer!
  4. Lionel Logue: Temper.
  – Submitted by Jean R (57 days ago)
• 1. George 'Bertie' VI: If I'm King, where's my power? Can I form a government? Can I levy a tax, declare a war? No! And yet I am the seat of all authority. Why? Because the nation believes that when I speak, I speak for them. But I can't speak.
  – Submitted by Typhon Q (8 months ago)
• 1. Lionel Logue: Please don't smoke. I believe sucking cigarette smoke into your lungs will kill you.
  2. George 'Bertie' VI: I need to relax. My physicians say it relaxes the throat.
  3. Lionel Logue: They're idiots.
  4. George 'Bertie' VI: They've all been knighted.
  5. Lionel Logue: Makes it official then.
  – Submitted by Typhon Q (8 months ago)
• 1. Queen Elizabeth: I intend to be a very great queen...to a very great king.
  – Submitted by Sarah K (15 months ago)
• 1. Lionel Logue: Do you know The 'F word'?
  2. George 'Bertie' VI: F-F-Fornication?
  – Submitted by Devin F (15 months ago)