The Kings Speech

I have been excited to see this movie since it's theatrical release, which I never made it to, but I finally got to see it tonight. It certainly did not disappoint. It was steeped in dry British humor, history, and heart. The film is set in early 20th century Britain and is centered around the royal family. George V is aging and is not unaware that someday soon one of his sons will need to take over the throne. His oldest son David is first in line, but is a great disappointment to the family in that he prefers to date married American women. The second, Albert (Colin Firth), or "Bertie" suffers from a life long speech impediment which causes him to stammer when he talks to anyone but his wife. The inciting incident is when Bertie, in his older brothers absence is forced to deliver a speech to the British empire and fails miserably. He is then referred to a doctor who tells him that smoking will help "relax the vocal chords" (never trust a British doctor, that's what I always say...). Finding no solace or help in the doctors many (ridiculous) remedies, he makes his wife promise not to solicit any more help. However, being the good wife that she is, she goes behind his back and finds a lower-middle class speech therapist Loinel(played by Geoffrey Rush, who is brilliant). In the interest of not spoiling the story, that is all I am going to say concerning the surface plot.

Instead, I am just going to focus on the underlying and more important theme. The conflict built between Bertie and Lionel is perfection. They come from completely opposite worlds, yet Bertie can do nothing to help himself concerning his speaking ability, and though throughout the movie refuses time and time again to admit it, he actually needs Lionel, both for his professional services and more importantly his friendship and camaraderie. Lionel not only helps him work on the physical mechanics of his problem, but as the movie continues and helps Bertie face the insecurities built up from his childhood. Though the relationship between the two men started out rigid and cold to say the least, it ended as a lifelong friendship.

I know this sounds super cheesy, and set in any other time and place, played by anyone but Colin Firth (<3) and Geoffrey Rush, it would be. There are very few special effects, but great, authentic English scenery. And it really is no wonder Colin Firth won the Academy award for best actor. He was positively outstanding. He made me forget I was watching him play the Duke of York, and made me believe he really was a damaged, self conscious, pitiful soul in search of human contact, emotion, and acceptance, which up until this point in his life was only given to him by his wife. Characters like this allow us to tap into a part of ourselves, and if done well, allow us to identify with their struggle and ultimate humanity, and the need for some sort of salvation. The Kings Speech delivered this rare opportunity for its audience perfectly, and did it with classic, good old British charm. A+