The King's Speech

This week, I had the pleasure of seeing The King's Speech starring Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter. Let me tell you up front that the film is rated R and earned an A-III (for Adults) rating from the USCCB.  I went into the theater knowing very little about the film and emerged wanting to see it again and share it with friends.

The King's Speech focuses on the speech impediment of the Duke of York and his unlikely rise to become King George VI.  I accompanied my teenage sons to see this film which earns its R rating for a few instances of very bad language - in the context of the film, these cursing scenes don't seem too gratuitous, but rather the viewer perceives them as a part of the unorthodox "treatment" that helps Prince Albert (Firth) to overcome a life-long stammer.  With his methods, elocutionist Logue (Rush) works to gain his clients trust.  What ultimately results is not only the overcoming of a disability, but a friendship that helps the Prince to pursue his destiny with confidence.

Along with being a film about triumphing over adversity, this is a film about relationships.  The first flickers of friendship between the Duke and his therapist, the obvious love between the Duke and his wife, the painful relations between the Duke and his parents, the broken relationship between the Duke's brother and rightful heir to the throne and his love interest - all open our eyes to our own intimacies and our treatment of those we love most.

If you've seen The King's Speech, I'd love to hear your thoughts on the film.  For the Bishops' review, click here and to hear the original speech which is at the focal point of the film click here.


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