The King's Speech Revisited

Just finished watching The King's Speech again. What a contrast between this film and the myriad superhero flicks that have run amok through theaters in recent years.

I wrote about the film in 2010 when it first came out, more or less citing the significance of the story it was based on.  A few additional features of the film caught my attention this time around.

The film centers on two main characters; "Bertie" (Colin Firth), the Prince of York who ultimately assumes the throne when his brother abdicates, and Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush), the speech therapist who ultimately helps Bertie find his voice.

SPOILER ALERT

The Prince of York has a speech impediment that shames him and the film begins with his giving a speech, quite badly. It ends with his first radio speech to the nation as king in an effort to inform his people of the impending war.

One of my favorite pieces of classical music is the second movement of Beethoven's Seventh Symphony. It broils with tension and has been used effectively in the climactic scene of this film. It was served up with equal power in Immortal Beloved during a scene in which Gary Oldman as Beethoven has his carriage stuck in the mud while on the way to an important tryst. There are few pieces of music that so effectively convey anguish.

But King George prevails, and he delivers his lines with authority.

The second thing that struck me was the parallel to my new children's book A RemarkableTale from the Land of Podd. Just as England was on the threshold of war, so also the king in my story is in trouble, with enemy troops on his country's border. He needs a hero to save the land, but everyone he asks to help is more aware of his or her shortcomings and refuses. The king in my story also has an issue to overcome. Instead of a speech impediment, he doesn't like his feet. Either way, the important thing is to take action.

We all have shortcomings that we're often painfully aware of. This should not disqualify us from doing our part when called upon.

"and even though he didn't like his own feet..."

Read more about The King's Speech.
A Remarkable Tale is available online here.

Live courageously. The world needs your voice.

The King’s Speech Deserves Its Accolades

Finally saw The King's Speech last night. The cinematography alone is worth the price of admission. The story was a bonus.

SPOILER ALERT IF YOU DO NOT KNOW YOUR HISTORY

A few months ago I was preparing to write here about King Edward VIII's abdication of the throne to marry the twice-divorced American socialite Wallis Simpson. That moment in history becomes the backstory of this fascinating account of a man who must slay his own inner dragons in order to assume the role of England's king. Like a fairy tale, he is on a quest that requires courage. He is supported by his fair maiden and assisted by a faithful "servant" who proves to be a loyal friend.

The double meaning of the title is intriguing since the focal point of the film's climax is literally about a speech the new king must give. But the real story is the Duke of York's speech impediment. He is a stutterer, a grave handicap for one who is to be a world leader.

Here are excerpts from several reviews at imdb.com which were helpful.

Slythinker wrote
This is a biopic about how King George VI, the father of Queen Elizabeth II, overcame his stuttering problem. Widely considered by all but his father unfit to be king, George is reluctantly thrust unto the throne and into the spotlight after his brother is forced to abdicate. Overshadowed on the global stage by powerful orators like Adolph Hitler and Benito Mussolini, the King relies on the help of a little-known Australian speech therapist named Lionel Logue to find his voice and courageously lead his people into the most devastating war humanity has ever faced.

Kepc wrote
Given the outstanding cast and director, and my fascination with historical figures, I had high hopes for this film, though mixed with a certain resignation that I might be disappointed. There was no way I could have imagined how wonderful "The King's Speech" would be. There was abundant humor without the film ever becoming a comedy, drama without dreariness, and many deeply moving moments. I can't praise this film enough. It boosted my appreciation of the human capacity to become our best selves, and rise to meet even the most daunting challenges.

Colinrocks said
It is a very touching, and quite inspiring story about a man, psychologically scarred, and trapped in a situation from which he could have no escape and facing it with immense courage. It so happens that he was royal, and that was a large part of his problem -- but the film isn't so much about royalty as a human story.

The acting is flawless and superb. And the sets are luscious, especially the room where Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush) meets with "Bertie", the Duke of York (Colin Firth), for therapy sessions. Every time we returned to that wall of inebriating color I was comforted.

The climax of the film leans on Beethoven’s Second Movement of his Seventh Symphony, perhaps one of the most heart-wrenching nine minutes ever scored, and it does the job well of conveying the inward anguish and achievement.

Incidentally, if you were wondering where you saw Geoffrey Rush and you couldn't quite place it.... think Barbossa in Pirates of the Caribbean.