Oh to be in London

Movie: The King's Speech
Director: Tom Hooper (a British film director, born 1972, educated Oxford), directed Helen Mirren in revival of tv drama series Prime Suspect; John Adams miniseries; and HBO Elizabeth I
Cast: Colin Firth as King George VI, Helena Bonham Carter as his wife Elizabeth (Queen Consort), and Geoffrey Rush as the speech therapist Lionel Logue. Claire Bloom plays Queen Mary, Derek Jacobi the Archbishop of Canterbury, and Michael Gambon George V.
Language: English
Release Date: November 2010

Should You See It? By all means yes. Great acting, beautiful sets, a taste of England prior to World War II. Won the People's Choice Award in 2010 at the Toronto Film Festival. Originally thought might be a stage play in the West End, but the UK Film Council provided a million pounds. Filmed in England, including Ely Cathedral, Wembley Stadium and Battersea Power Station.

In a Nutshell:

King George V, king during World War I, was the first English monarch to speak on the radio (or wireless as it was called then). This started a tradition in England and may have led to Franklin D. Roosevelt's fireside chats before and during World War II. As the king's health declined, his son David (Albert's older brother) inherited the throne and became King Edward VII. But he became enamored of an American divorcee--Wallis Simpson--and abdicated the throne to be with her. As the younger son of King George V, Albert (Bertie to his friends) took over as King George VI.

I tell you all this background because the crux of the film is the fascinating relationship between George VI (Bertie) and Lionel Logue, the speech therapist from Australia. Bertie suffers from a severe case of stammering. It was first revealed to the public in his 1925 address at Wembley Stadium. The audience was not happy with him. Although he tried to overcome his speech impediment, nothing was successful. To the rescue comes Elizabeth, the Duchess of York, who locates Logue. Using unorthodox methods, Logue treats Bertie and eventually becomes his lifelong friend.

As the war takes a serious turn, Germany invades Poland in 1939 and Neville Chamberlain (the then prime minister) declares war on Germany. It is up to the king to speak to the people and rally the populace around. Logue successfully orchestrates the king's address to the public. Although on the brink of war, the film ends on a happy note with the king's successful delivery.

Set in the backdrop of proper England and the threatening war, it is refreshing to see a film about the intimate relationship between these two men. Logue is not intimidated by the king's status. In fact, he tells him that he can't smoke. He also says that he will call him Bertie, a name only used by close family members. In one charming scene, while preparing for the coronation, Logue sits in a throne/chair where only royalty can sit. Bertie tells him he can't do this; Lionel does it anyway. You might question Logue's unorthodox methods, but they seemed to have worked with Bertie. Logue blames the stammering on childhood abuse (by a nanny), but I am not sure if there is a basis in fact for this allegation.

I must confess, however. I found myself drifting to sleep during this movie. Several days later I heard some commentators on a morning talk show say the same thing happened to them. And I thought I was just tired.

But do go and see this movie. If nothing else, you will want to reread the history of the time period and travel to England for the spectacular scenery. It seems almost quaint today to say that a royal would have to give up his right to the throne for wanting to marry a divorcee. But remember, the times they are achanging.