The King's Speech

http://www.kingsspeech.com/

Muppet:-

It was movie with a simple premise - the relationship between two men. One is a potential heir to the throne of England. The other is an amateur actor from Australia who offers speech therapy. Their paths cross when a concerned wife decides to help her husband correct his stutter, which he has had since the age of 5. Along with his stutter, she had hope to rid him of his fear of and the embarrassment he faced with public speaking - public speeches being a common task for a member of the British Crown.

My first favorite moment in the movie was the conversation King George VI (Colin Firth) and Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush) shared when they were preparing for the coronation in Westminister Abbey. The King was informed that Lionel was not a qualified speech therapist, to which Lionel informed the king that he never claimed to have such qualifications. It was memorable because it addressed 2 things:- (1) We want to believe what we want to believe even when in the absence of such evidence, because we create an idea/image/expectation of what is right/wrong - The King believed that his speech therapist had to be someone qualified, and therefore a DOCTOR; thus, he always referred to Lionel as Dr Logue despite Lionel's insistence to be called by his first name. (2) Lionel explanation for doing the work that he does - "to give voice" .. It is a particularly personal scene for me as someone who aspires to listen simply to provide individuals' the opportunity to give themselves a "voice."

King George VI: [Logue is sitting on the coronation throne] Get up! Y-you can’t sit there! GET UP!
Lionel Logue: Why not? It’s a chair.
King George VI: T-that… that is Saint Edward’s chair.
Lionel Logue: People have carved their names on it.
King George VI: L-listen to me… listen to me!
Lionel Logue: Why should I waste my time listening to you?
King George VI: Because I have a voice!
Lionel Logue: …yes, you do.

My second favorite scene was when Lionel has returned home from having upset the King during a conversation about the King's fear about becoming the King. This particular scene has Lionel discussing his distress (briefly and simply) about the situation with his wife, who demonstrates an uncanny ability of knowing her husband, and promptly offers him simple but honest advice. Advice, which Lionel appreciates, and heeds. It appeals to me as a demonstration of a couples' ability to care and communicate with each other. The wife was able to sense her husband's distress, inquire, and from his honest response, she was able to provide him with helpful and supportive advice. The husband in turn was open with the reason for his distress and when demonstrates his appreciation for the thoughtful advice by acting on it as he felt fit.

A simple movie about real relationships.



The ORIGINAL speech by King George the VI on September 03,1939

Viewed by Muppet on Saturday, March 26th, 2011 @ 7:30pm with GFB
Viewed by Wild Oscar