"The King's Speech"

Title: "The King's Speech"

MPAA Rating: R (Although a PG-13 version was released.)
Director: Tom Hooper
Producers: I. Canning, E. Sherman, and G. Unwin
Editing: Tariq Anwar
Composer: Alexander Desplat
Starring:
- Colin Firth as King George VI
- Geoffrey Rush as Lionel Logue
- Helena Bonham Carter as Queen Elizabeth
- Guy Pearce as King Edward VIII
- Timothy Spall as Winston Churchill

- Michael Gambon as King George V

Plot and Critical Review: Prince Albert, Duke of York, the second son of King George V, stammers through his speech closing the 1925 British Empire Exhibition at Wembley Stadium. The Duke has given up hope of a cure, but his wife Elizabeth persuades him to see Lionel Logue, an Australian speech therapist in London. During their first session, Logue breaches royal etiquette and insists on calling his patient "Bertie", a name used only within the Duke's family. When Albert decides Logue's methods and manner are unsuitable, the Australian bets a shilling that the Duke can recite Hamlet's "To be, or not to be" soliloquy without trouble while listening to loud music on headphones. Logue records his performance on a gramophone record; convinced he has stammered throughout, Albert leaves in a huff, declaring his condition "hopeless" and dismissing Logue. Logue offers him the recording as a keepsake.

After King George V makes his 1934 Christmas radio address, he explains to Albert the importance of broadcasting to a modern monarchy. He declares that "David" (Edward, Prince of Wales), Albert's older brother, will bring ruin to himself, the family, and the country when he accedes to the throne. King George demands that Albert train himself, starting with a reading of his father's speech. He makes an agonising attempt to do so.

Later, Albert plays Logue's recording and hears himself reciting Shakespeare without pauses. He returns to Logue, but he and his wife insist that Logue stop delving into his private life and merely work on the physical aspects. Logue teaches his patient muscle relaxation and breath control techniques, but continues to gently probe at the psychological roots of the stutter. The Duke eventually reveals some of the pressures of his childhood: his strict father, the repression of his natural left-handedness, painful childhood metal splints to correct his knock-knees, his first nanny, who secretly mistreated him, and the early death of his younger brother, John. The two men become friends.

Firth and Bonham Carter as the Duke and Duchess of York
In January 1936, George V dies, and David reluctantly takes the throne as King Edward VIII, but causes a monumental crisis with his determination to marry Mrs Wallis Simpson, an American socialite and twice a divorcée. At Christmas in Balmoral Castle, Albert points out that Edward, as head of the Church of England, cannot marry a divorced woman; Edward accuses his brother of wanting to usurp his place, calling his elocution lessons preparation, and resurrects his childhood taunt of "B-B-B-Bertie".

At his next session, Albert expresses his frustration that his speech has improved while talking to most people—except his own brother. Albert reveals the extent of David's folly with Mrs Simpson. When Logue insists that Albert could be a good king, the latter calls it treason, mocks Logue's failed acting aspirations and humble origins, and dismisses him. When King Edward VIII abdicates to marry Mrs Simpson, Albert becomes King George VI. The new King and Queen visit Logue at his home to apologise, startling Logue's wife (who had been kept in the dark about the patient's identity).

During preparations for his coronation in Westminster Abbey, Albert learns that Logue has no formal qualifications. Logue explains he was asked to help shell-shocked Australian soldiers returning from the First World War, and thereby found his calling. When Albert remains convinced of his unfitness to be king, Logue sits in King Edward's Chair and dismisses the underlying Stone of Scone as a trifle. Goaded by Logue's seeming disrespect, the King surprises himself with his own sudden outraged eloquence.

Upon the declaration of war with Nazi Germany in September 1939, George VI summons Logue to Buckingham Palace to prepare for his upcoming radio address to millions of listeners in Britain and the Empire. The King is left alone in the room with the microphone, except for Logue. He delivers his speech competently, as if to Logue alone, who guides him silently throughout. Afterwards, the King and his family step onto the balcony of the palace, to be viewed and applauded by the thousands who have gathered.

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Films that attempt to retell the story of an important moment in history tend to default to the "historic epic" formula; big production, big cast, big budget, and big advertising. Here we have a truly epic film, but one that doesn't rely on any of those elements; aside from big advertising, which almost all movies must do now-a-days.

While "The King's Speech" boasts an exceptional cast, the ensemble is considerably smaller than what we typically see in historical epics. Here we have 6 principal players, and one of them (Gambon) doesn't get much screen time, anyway. What drives the film (and what drove it to win 12 nominations and 4 Oscars - including Best Picture) is an irresistible plot. It's the same sort of plot that made "The Queen" and "Elizabeth" so enjoyable to watch; the telling of the lives of royalty in both their glory and weakness. This is a film I highly recommend to you. Please do not delay, for you'll not be disappointed.

My Rating: 8.5/10

Content To Caution:

V-.5 - No comment.
L-3 - Coarse language throughout, albeit mostly used in a therapeutic fashion.
DU-1.5 - Several characters smoke. People are seen drinking at parties and in social settings.
RT-0 - No comment.
H/S-1 - No comment.
CH-1.5 - Some inappropriate jokes told.
S/N-1 - Mentioning of love affairs.

The "Reel Revelation": "Let's Hear It"

Just recently I had an in-depth and meaningful conversation with a very close friend. We covered a score of topics and, by the end, I felt we'd said a lot. Before we departed I thought to simply ask, "Is there anything else?" They simply responded, "No." I opted to ask one more question about something we had discussed earlier, and that one question opened up another hour of even more meaningful conversation! I was surprised (and delighted) to find that there was so much more that needed to be said, even though it had been initially restrained. Even though we had gone through many topics and points earlier on, we had "stuttered" when it came to saying the tough stuff. Have you ever had a conversation like that, when you "stuttered" as you tried to say what was most difficult?

I've only known one person that actually suffered from a speech impediment and stuttered. It wasn't an acute case, but when they did start to stutter they always took their time and said what they wanted to say as slowly and accurately as they could. They spoke better with an impediment than I do with all of my eloquence. I normally default to throwing as many words out as possible and hoping I get my point across. But I realize that, like everyone else, I stutter when it comes time to say what is most important. It takes us a couple tries to build up the courage to open up our hearts and put truest words on our tongues. Difficult as it is, defeating that "stuttering" and speaking in pure honesty and love is precisely what God is calling us to.

And what is it that we're defeating, if not a real speech impediment? Fear, and that's as real as it gets! By speaking the truth (and speaking it bravely!) we're defeating the fear that we won't be understood; fear that our ideas will be rejected; fear that our feelings will be ignored. We feel that fear in the business place, at home, in our relationships, and in our prayer life.

- Can I tell my wife that i'm upset with her?

- Can I tell my boss that I need a raise?

- Can I tell God that i'm angry at Him?

Yes, you can, and you should! You can say all those things and more by coming against the fear that's caused you to stutter in saying what is most true in your heart.

Consider St. Paul, a man who was called by God to share the Gospel through preaching and writing. We see St. Paul as a courageous figure because he was willing to face the fears and dangers that always surrounded his ministry. He knew that the message he carried in his heart - the Good News of Christ - was too important to hold back. He wasn't willing to let a little "stuttering" get in his way. But as great of an evangelist as he was, Paul endured the same sense of fear that we feel everyday. And just like Paul, God comforts and encourages us:

"And the Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid any longer, but go on speaking and do not be silent..." (Acts 18:9)

Hear those words in your own heart today, "Do not be afraid any longer." Remember also the words of King David who, also under the threat of death, wrote of His confidence in God. Not in his own strength (or in his own words, by which he often "stuttered" and stumbled), but in the strength of God's hand:

"The LORD is my light and my salvation;

Whom shall I fear?

The LORD is the defense of my life;

Whom shall I fear?" (Psalm 27:1)

If we should give into fear, let it be fear of God, that we should speak untruthfully and sin in trusting ourselves to say what is right. But let us be of "good courage" (2 Cor. 5:6) and say what we mean, what is true, what is loving, and what will continue God's work of mercy upon the earth.

See you tomorrow - E.T.