The King's Speech reached critical acclaim in 2010, the year of its release. Scooping up 7 Academy Film Awards, the film was thrust into the public domain and in total has achieved over £250 million in box office sales alone.
The highly successful British biopic has seen remarkable success in the US as well as being nominated and winning 4 Oscars. It had immense appeal to audiences overseas as well as on British soil, cashing in over $138 million in total in the States. The film which depicts King George VI's (Colin Firth) life through trial and tribulation as he struggles to overcome his speech impediment and balance his newly appointed royal duties, however help comes from an unlikely source, Lionel Logue, played by Geoffrey Rush, a veteran speech therapist who believes he has what it takes to cure the troubled King.
The small budget film has had overwhelming success, drawing in flocks of cinema-goers all over the globe, however the historical biopic has received a large fan following in the US. This begs us to ask the question, why have others from foreign countries warmed so softly to The King's Speech?
Now, there may be many reasons for foreign countries warming to the palatable nature of this 'feel good' film. One may be the extreme pomp and circumstance which comes along with a royal biopic however, countries such as the US with relatively short historical pasts may turn to the film as an experience to gain a wealth of historical knowledge with the convenience of watching a film.
Many viewers in the US gave the film excellent ratings, with an average rating of 8.6/10 on IMDB, the film certainly had an overwhelming effect on cinema-goers. However, this film didn't just 'woo' foreign audiences, back home in Britain the film received rave reviews as well. It seems that films like The King's Speech appeals to audiences so much because it allows them to reminisce to a by gone era and fully immerse themselves in the captivating script, even with British viewers it allows us to connect with the Royal family and empathise with them.
Finally, I believe that the main reasons of success for The King's Speech are in essence very basic. Firstly, the film has stuck to quick a simple linear narrative, this appeals to audiences as it gives them a footing and a platform from which to expand their understanding as it progresses. Secondly, the touching and emotional nature of the film also may be another reason for its great success. Audiences are able to empathise, as was mentioned earlier, with the King, enabling them to connect with him emotionally, creating a more tactile role in the film for the audience.
It is this mix of tactility and fundamental narratives which has in effect created one of the most successful films of the 21st century, and with notable awards wins such as Oscars and Academy awards, firmly cementing The King's Speech with a place in film h-h-history!
The highly successful British biopic has seen remarkable success in the US as well as being nominated and winning 4 Oscars. It had immense appeal to audiences overseas as well as on British soil, cashing in over $138 million in total in the States. The film which depicts King George VI's (Colin Firth) life through trial and tribulation as he struggles to overcome his speech impediment and balance his newly appointed royal duties, however help comes from an unlikely source, Lionel Logue, played by Geoffrey Rush, a veteran speech therapist who believes he has what it takes to cure the troubled King.
 |
| Above: King George VI (Colin Firth) prepares to give his Wartime speech. |
Now, there may be many reasons for foreign countries warming to the palatable nature of this 'feel good' film. One may be the extreme pomp and circumstance which comes along with a royal biopic however, countries such as the US with relatively short historical pasts may turn to the film as an experience to gain a wealth of historical knowledge with the convenience of watching a film.
Many viewers in the US gave the film excellent ratings, with an average rating of 8.6/10 on IMDB, the film certainly had an overwhelming effect on cinema-goers. However, this film didn't just 'woo' foreign audiences, back home in Britain the film received rave reviews as well. It seems that films like The King's Speech appeals to audiences so much because it allows them to reminisce to a by gone era and fully immerse themselves in the captivating script, even with British viewers it allows us to connect with the Royal family and empathise with them.
Finally, I believe that the main reasons of success for The King's Speech are in essence very basic. Firstly, the film has stuck to quick a simple linear narrative, this appeals to audiences as it gives them a footing and a platform from which to expand their understanding as it progresses. Secondly, the touching and emotional nature of the film also may be another reason for its great success. Audiences are able to empathise, as was mentioned earlier, with the King, enabling them to connect with him emotionally, creating a more tactile role in the film for the audience.
It is this mix of tactility and fundamental narratives which has in effect created one of the most successful films of the 21st century, and with notable awards wins such as Oscars and Academy awards, firmly cementing The King's Speech with a place in film h-h-history!
No comments:
Post a Comment