MOVIE REVIEW
The King's Speech
Fear is probably the emotion most dreaded by people. There are many reasons we are afraid. It can motivate you to escape danger, or avoid that which is unpleasant. It can also in its worst form completely immobilize you, leaving you helpless and incompetent. It is especially unfortunate if the person experiencing this kind of phobia is the future King of England.
In "The King's Speech" starring Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter, the true story of King George VI is told. We are all familiar with the present day Queen Elizabeth II but until this film most of us probably did not realize that her father had a debilitating disability. He could not speak without incredible difficulty. He stammered whenever he tried to speak and it was embarrassing and difficult to watch.
Colin Firth is the Duke of York, second in line to the throne of England in 1939 when his country is on the brink of war with Germany and Hitler is threatening to conquer Europe. His loving wife is played by Helena Bonham Carter. He becomes King after his father George V dies and his older brother David abdicates the throne for American divorcee Wallis Simpson, "the woman he loves". His brother David is actually a portrait of selfishness and cowardice, the opposite of George.
After trying many speech therapists and many unsuccessful attempts at a cure, he is introduced to a most unconventional speech therapist Lionel Logue played by Geoffrey Rush. He is an uncertified therapist (formerly an actor) and a distinctly common man. They have conflicts with issues of trust and prejudice. Logue is played with the witty comic quirkiness that is Rush at his best. He has an instinct for his vocation and a deep desire to help others.
Logue believes the problem is rooted in childhood trauma that is ultimately the source of the Kings anger and self loathing. The patient must discover the trauma that gave birth to the fear that has caused the speech defect. George is incredibly brave though, and perseveres with great self discipline to overcome his problem. Rush's dry wit and some really sharp writing make this film a pleasure to watch. There is some profanity tied to one of his exercises to loosen up his pent up anguish but it is not gratuitous, it is actually quite funny.
As King George must give his first important speech declaring war with Germany (which has invaded Poland), you can see the dread in every inch of his face. He is required to speak publicly to his country over the new 20th century invention "radio" to be heard simultaneously by his entire country and much of the world. He is terrified of hearing his own voice and you can feel his dread in the pit of your own stomach. You can also feel the empathy and compassion his friend has for him as he stands by his side quietly coaching him and giving him courage.
The real strength of this film is wonderfully subtle performances, beautifully telling the truth of real love. Love that sticks to duty and to people no matter how difficult or unlikely a successful outcome may seem. King George VI had many enemies including Adolf Hitler but his greatest enemy was his own self doubt. His greatest blessing however, was having people in his life who loved him in spite of his shortcomings and believed in him when he could not believe in himself. We are reminded that perfect love casts out fear. Sandra Kleinschmidt