Speech Evaluation

Ah, the critically acclaimed motion picture that not only won Best Picture, but Best Actor at the 2011 Academy Awards, and for good reason. I was recently able to experience the royal Majesty of this film, and I must say, it was one of the most visually stunning and heart-warming documentaries I have ever watched. The film documents the daily life of Prince Albert, Duke of York (Colin Firth), during the 1930's, the time between World War I and the fastcoming second World War. The British royal family is caught in a conflict when heir to the throne, David, Prince of Wales (Guy Pearce), embroils himself in a controversial relationship with a twice-divorced American socialite, Wallis Simpson. Prince Albert could easily take over the throne, but is hindered by his infamous speech impediment. The film follows his discovery of Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush) and the baby steps Logue takes with the prince to fix his speech impediment once and for all.
   The broad, sweeping views the director, Tom Hooper, uses to express his film accurately characterizes the film with a feeling of elegance and royalty. Numerous close-ups and headshots are used to emphasize the actors' use of facial expression to convey a certain scene's mood and importance. Hooper's use of wide, panning motions gives the film an added sense of wonder at the private, quiet lives the royal family lives behind closed doors.
    Hooper expresses the future King George VI's speech impediment truly and historically accurate; the use of the real Logue's diaries and notes further confirms the almost-accuracy of the film's plot. The picture seamlessly presents the dilemma of a king dealing with a stutter that has haunted him throughout his life. Speeches are vital and may be the only connection of a king to his subjects, and for a king to grab hold of his people and allow them to place their trust in him to do their nation's work, he must be eloquent and moving in his deliverance of his speech. The film demonstrates the angst and urgency of the king's need to cure himself of his disability, and thus turns what might have been a dry, historical documentary into something all people can relate to; the fear of public speaking. The pressure heaped upon Prince Albert is nasty and brutish; quickly and unexpectedly ushered into the position of King, of the Ruler of the Land, of Leader, he must maintain the relationship between ruler and ruled while also upholding the reputation of the monarchy.
     Overall, The King's Speech was a definite eye-opener for me, and made me realize what a hassle being king might be, that being king does not mean lying on comfortable couches all day, eating grapes fed to you by beautiful women. It is the ultimate job, the one that requires 24/7 commitment and dedication, a job one can not just retire from and leave whenever one wants. It is a job often forced upon the next in line, and is one the heir must uphold for the rest of his life. In all, The King's Speech was a impressive, and I might say, imperial movie that will definitely be another Janga block added to my Framework for Life.