My mum and I went to see The King’s Speech today and it’s just a marvelous, lovely movie. If it’s playing in your area, try and go see it.
The story is one which a lot of people might not have known until now, but in a nutshell, George VI has to come to the throne after the abdication of his brother, and in an era of live radio. He has a bad stammer. Finds an unconventional speech therapist to help and makes the speech of his life.
When the movie was under consideration, the Royal Family was asked for its approval, which it was given. But the condition from the Queen Mother was not until after her death, as it was still too painful for her to remember how her beloved husband struggled to speak.
Of course, I was riveted by the movie, and the period in which it took place – the England when my father was an early teenager – but also by some of the sets. A lot of the action took place in the Harley Street quarters of the therapist, almost a garret-type place with lots of leaded glass windows, plaster walls with years of paint and other period pieces. 
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This movie is going to be up for loads of awards, and it’s already starting to win some! So go see it!
Saw it a few weeks ago. My friend works for the UK Film Council and recommended it. I loved loved loved it and the fact that it's a true story is amazing. So glad you posted it. Think it's a great story.
ReplyDeleteMeg have heard great things about The King's Speech!!
ReplyDeleteVery excited to see it!
Happy New Years!
Xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Hi Meg,
ReplyDeleteI agree a bloody good film. It is playing in Monterey at the little art cinema. Each showing has been sold out. We had to sit in the front row, and in spite of stiff necks loved it.
Marjorie
I saw it last week and it was great! Much better than I expected. I loved the dingy Harley Street consulting rooms - though I can't imagine they were really that bad back then!
ReplyDeletewow, thanks for the heads up, this was not even on my radar! Where did you see it, is it at the Charles per chance?
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year! A good friend went to see "The King's Speech" over the week-end and said it was excellent-- it is definitely on my list.
ReplyDeleteWe saw two movies this weekend - King's Speech and The Fighter - quite a juxtaposition - liked them both - my favorite was KS, no surprise.
ReplyDeleteSaw t last night and enjoyed it for all the reasons you mention.
ReplyDeleteWe went to see it on New Years Day. I had a feeling you'd love it, along with many other folks who appreciate finery, both lived in and worn.
ReplyDeleteGreat film.
On the topic of film with great period details, check out Cheri, which features a slightly earlier Paris with a particular focus on the work of Hector Guimard.
It looks like one we'd love...thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWe tried to see it over the holiday break, but were hindered by the east coast snow monster. Your review has whet the appetite...going to try again this weekend!
ReplyDeleteThe King's Speech.... F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S..... The period details great although there is a scene with ERII wearing a dress with plastic buttons, not then (time frame) and certainly not her. Also the scene with Wallis at Balmoral and a Pug dog. WE didn't acquire pugs until the 50's. Wallace had a Cairn Terrier at that time, a gift from Edward. HKH
ReplyDeleteHKH... it killed me when Logue said something about his "kids". It was a bit too modern. I did like the couple who played W+E.
ReplyDelete{and i am still sorry about being mean to you!}
Meg, I'm a big boy and have come to realize you can't hear voice inflection on the internet and can't always tell one's thought process or intent. I do accept your apology and know we'll both try to be better in 2011. HKH
ReplyDeleteThe film was great, especially Guy Pearce as David, the man has serious range. He and Wallis were looking quite decadent lounging about the Chateau de la Croe on the Cap D'Antibes at the end of the film. No one seems to like the Windsors but you, eh Meg?
ReplyDeleteHi Meg! I saw it last Friday and adored it. I spent the weekend doing Baltimore Wallis Simpson research. Can you please, oh, please put together a tour of the places she lived? Maybe we could get in to see the private collection of the guy who lives in Mt. Vernon...name escapes me. So glad you liked it!
ReplyDeleteExcellent movie, I wouldn't mind seeing it again!
ReplyDeleteSaw this film for the second time Friday evening. I wouldn't mind seeing it a third!
ReplyDeleteBeing English by birth I love the scenes of London. Having grown up in Australia I just adore the character of Lionel. The most moving scenes for me are when the camera pans the faces of those "common men" huddled around a shared radio. The soldiers in the field. The servants downstairs. The lined and war-weary faces in the pub. All listening intently. It brought back the stories my mother told me about being bombed during the Blitz. How apprehensive they must have felt having lived through the first war only to be told they were about to enter a second. A wonderful film.
If you liked this movie you might like a BBC drama I saw a few years ago about Bertie and the Queen Mum. It was on Masterpiece Theater. I can't remember what it was called but with "The King's Speech" being so popular perhaps PBS will show it again.