The King’s Speech, starring Colin Firth, is a story inspired by the events of the transition of Albert “Bertie” George from Duke of York to King of England. The main focus is on Albert’s, speech impediment, or “stammer” as he calls it. In the beginning of the film, Albert, who will become King George VI, has to give a speech at Wembley Stadium. He stutters through the speech, and is unable to complete it. After meeting with numerous speech therapists, Albert resigns himself to the fact that he will not overcome his stammer. At the urging of his wife, he meets one more speech therapist, Lionel, whose methods are unorthodox but effective.
Through the film, Bertie and Lionel develop a friendship, a concept that is rather new to Bertie. He’s never had real friends, nor has he had someone who would take the time to listen to him before Lionel. By the end of the movie, Bertie has progressed by leaps and bounds with his speech, and to the pleasant surprise of everyone, even himself, he is able to deliver one of the most important speeches of his lifetime nearly without flaw.
The title of the film has a dual meaning. It not only refers to the legendary speech King George gave to the British citizens as the country goes to war against Germany, but it is also about the actual condition of the King, his stammer. His speech impediment and his gradual mastery of it was the more important element of the film.
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