Saturday, Philip and I went to see "The King's Speech".
Wow.
What a wonderful film. Wonderful.
Philip thoroughly enjoys a movie based on a true story, so he was not frightened away by the lead actor from Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice". Colin Firth is literally adorable in this film. Or perhaps, it is the stammering King George VI who is endearing and attractive. Either way, I was drawn in to the heart of the story and came away richer for it. Geoffrey Rush steadily moved up my list of favorite actors as each scene advanced.
This movie is filmed beautifully. Its slow pace and calm progression are artfully supported by careful symmetry and classic settings.
This is the story of two men who struggle with their place in the world. One enjoys true relationships, yet longs for fame. The other resents his inherited renown while living in the pain of not being truly known. One offers boldly authentic friendship. The other must face his fears to receive all that is being offered.
Philip and I typically refuse to see movies with an R rating. This show contained no violence and no sex. This rating was obviously given for language alone. (There are moments when the king's frustration escalates to such an extent that he loses his temper and he surprisingly seems to curse quite fluently, as opposed to his usual stuttered slur.) Without the context of rage or insult, the crude language serves as more of a comic relief than an offence.
Were it not for the expletives, I would encourage even my young children to watch this touching movie about rising to one's calling by way of courage, humility and the strength offered through relationships based on trust and honesty.
'The King's Speech' Trailer
