movie: The King's Speech
I thought that The King's Speech was the kind of movie that would not interest me. It sounded mostly like a drama set in historical period. I wanted a distraction last night, though, so I walked to the local Heights Theater to see it. The movie was much better than I expected. I can see why it was nominated for so many Academy Awards and won 4 of them (Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Original Screenplay).
The story is about a man who confronts the problem of his own severe stuttering. This speech impediment is quite a disability for a future king who faces a coming world war at the dawn of the age of broadcasting. The final scene of the film is "the speech" that newly crowned King George VI must deliver via radio to much of the world's population that belongs to the British Empire at the beginning of World War II.
It still doesn't sound very interesting, I know. Somehow, though, it works. By this point in the film, the audience understands how difficult this public address is for him and how much courage and tenacity it requires. The scene had more than one viewer moved to tears and sniffles in the small audience of a dozen people at this small theater. The film does a great job of explaining the personal hardships of this particular monarch (and also his wife who had twice refused his proposal of marriage but finally accepted when she realized that his profound stutter would likely keep him from ever holding the title of king).
I expected to be bored, but I wasn't at all. I can easily recommend the film for entertainment.
After the film was also an interesting time. I walked a mile back home in the dark and near freezing weather. I passed an area that is a very large garden area. Most (not all) of the snow was gone. A rabbit sat quietly in the middle of it while I passed. A few blocks later I passed a young man walking the opposite direction. He said to me, "How's it going, sir?" Sir! I'm old enough to warrant a "sir" from strangers, even when it's too dark to notice the wrinkles. I guess my brilliant white chin is as noticeable as Rudolph's flaming nose. *laugh*
The story is about a man who confronts the problem of his own severe stuttering. This speech impediment is quite a disability for a future king who faces a coming world war at the dawn of the age of broadcasting. The final scene of the film is "the speech" that newly crowned King George VI must deliver via radio to much of the world's population that belongs to the British Empire at the beginning of World War II.
It still doesn't sound very interesting, I know. Somehow, though, it works. By this point in the film, the audience understands how difficult this public address is for him and how much courage and tenacity it requires. The scene had more than one viewer moved to tears and sniffles in the small audience of a dozen people at this small theater. The film does a great job of explaining the personal hardships of this particular monarch (and also his wife who had twice refused his proposal of marriage but finally accepted when she realized that his profound stutter would likely keep him from ever holding the title of king).
I expected to be bored, but I wasn't at all. I can easily recommend the film for entertainment.
After the film was also an interesting time. I walked a mile back home in the dark and near freezing weather. I passed an area that is a very large garden area. Most (not all) of the snow was gone. A rabbit sat quietly in the middle of it while I passed. A few blocks later I passed a young man walking the opposite direction. He said to me, "How's it going, sir?" Sir! I'm old enough to warrant a "sir" from strangers, even when it's too dark to notice the wrinkles. I guess my brilliant white chin is as noticeable as Rudolph's flaming nose. *laugh*