The Kings Speech, directed by Tom Hooper and Written by David Seidler is a British drama about Prince Albert and his struggle with a speech impediment. Prince Albert or Bertie as his speech coach calls him has been struggling with a speech impediment since he was five. When Bertie or Prince Albert gives speeches he usually freezes up and struggles to even pronounce a single sentence. His Doctor, Lionel Logue played by Geoffrey Rush, sees Prince Albert for whom he is. Lionel forces Prince Albert to realize that he can beat his speech impediment. This speech problem stems from emotional trauma after his nanny mistreated him. Ever since Bertie was a child his family treated him very badly. When his family would ridicule him for his speech impediment his father would join in the torment. Even when his brother becomes King he still uses the same scare tickets calling him blabbering Bertie until he froze up. Prince Albert’s greatest test is not stepping into the thrown or becoming a strong self respecting man but his evident war with Nazi Germany. After his fathers death and his brothers antics Bertie is left to protect the people of England. As king he must ensure the people their safety and help to ensure a stable unified nation amidst the ever-present threat of the Nazi invasion. His speech enlists the people of Europe to fight the Nazi threat and Berties usual stutter is defeated. Bertie’s redemption leaves him as a strong leader and a fit King, his plight through the story is reflected in this final speech.
Otto, Comment on Runzel Kings Speech
ReplyDeleteIt is also important, I think, to note the relationship between Bertie and Lionel, as well as the relationship between Bertie and his wife and children who are all supporting him through this huge change in his life. Yes, his early childhood led him to his stutter, but those who are helping him are featured more and help him with the problem. The fact that Lionel calls Bertie the same name his family calls him, shows the comfort and closeness that is needed for one to get through their problems. As Bertie lets Lionel in more, his speech gets better and by the end he is able to dictate his speech over the radio to the rest of the country with little flaws that he threw in, which unnecessary, however he jokingly adds that he had to so the people would know it was him. The titles are suggesting both his speech impediment, as well as the speeches which he is made to do in front of hundreds of people and many more over the radio.