So I finally found a babysitter that will take my three sweet little terrors and listen to all they want to say about superheros so my hubby and I can duck out and catch a moment to ourselves.
This blog is turning out to be quite a hodge podge of information, but hey...that’s what you get when a mother of three that probably has ADD and is raising a family all to which have inherited the attention qualities of their parents combined ability to focus. I do have to say, in sneaking out of the house and praying that the babysitter would keep the children from lighting the house on fire, that our wishes for a lovely evening were answered. We popped into our local sushi bar and had some spider rolls and off to the independent cinema to see the best film of the year-The Kings Speech. After the movie was over, I knew I had to do a “review” or at least a two thumbs up regarding this movie.
Firstly, I might say we as Americans really disdain the idea of a Monarchy, but the Brits simply love it. We simply fail to realize this aspect of importance in European history and especially British life. Here in America we are centered around individuality and democracy and self governance. In today's culture, we give ear to master orators, elected leaders that are effective debaters, we value political savvy, and pride ourselves a success when someone that has been promoted from within a structure or organization because of the sweat on their brow. In a Monarchy, as many of you know, the whole aspect of having a King is centered on the presupposed view of “Divine right to rule”. So the idea of a King in our culture is unfathomable, and yet this movie gives light to how important the Prince of Windsor thought of his place within the royal family and the question of who was worthy of standing in such a position.
In an era of broadcast communication, the radio was a powerful propulsion in expanding ideas as we can see how TV, the Internet and social networking have influenced our own culture.
Most political figures are elected because they have succeeded in their communications with the masses. Even our current president has mastered the art of communication and stands as living proof of our success in communication strategies. But what if we had a President that couldn’t physically speak? I highly doubt he would ever get to office. Society would simply reject him, as tolerant as our society claims itself to be this is the truth. Being a good communicator is probably the most important quality we as Americans seek in a political leader. We pick political leaders I dare to say to like cast show on NBC, and I will stretch it a bit more and say because we would rather be entertained than actually care about some of the dire situations this politcal leader would end up facing.
So here in the Kings Speech you have an individual with the “Divine right to rule” in an era of communication advancement that simply is inability to speak to anyone without stuttering,
even his own children. You also have the rise of Hitler’s regime looming down the distance, a master orator and obviously effective at communication spreading his voice throughout Eastern Europe. What is a prospective King to do? Well, this builds tension doesn’t it?
Of course there are several things in this movie that give light to how our society have delt with communication defects in the past. We have come a long way, however the social stigma still does not change the social emotional difficulties anyone faces if they live with a communication disorder. One is that intimidation never works. Two, is that crazy marbles in the mouth methods do not work. At the heart of of something like this underlays a deeper issue such as neuro connections in the brain, possibly epilepsy and other defects in brain pathways. What worsens the problem, is making the person feel like they can control the defect from the start with their “hard work” and just “making up your mind” to do it. The shame of having a terrible speech defect as a countrymen or pauper is one thing, but to be King and have to address the nation? The mounting pressure of looming war drew hard on the heart of the King and yet, how utterly powerless and isolated he felt.
The soon to be Queen, played by Helen Bonham Carter was simply lovely. In searching out all kinds of things to help, she finally came to the spirited Aussie Lionel who is played by Geoffery Rush. Finally in a desperate last resort, sought for his ability to help “speech defects” and with not one royal credential takes on the Kings issue. The fact is that Lionel is not “approved” or given “proper” credentials by the church of England or anyone else for that matter only makes this story even more redeeming to me then just the simple plot. We pride ourselves even to this day on credentials and diplomas. However, how like God’s mysterious ways to use something utterly unconventional to help this King overcome his speech. It is only when the King, finally accepts the trust of Lionel’s friendship and equality as a fellow human being the emotional walls are broken and the King is able to bridge the gap of this gaping reveene of fear of rejection.
This movie shows how the effects of fear, shame and hurt turn into defense, pride, anger and how the bondage of those relationships, disables us from fulfilling our potential that God has for us. This movie also paints a picture of grace in the relationship of the Kings wife, who forever is by his side and knows the intimacy of his struggle and desires to help heal those wounds. The risk of true friendship in Lionel was something that was a salve to the Kings heart, who never had a friend in his life as a royal member and also as person whose disability handicapped the King from socially taking risks. The final moment of redemption of the King being able to open his mouth and speak was triumphant for both Lionel and the King. He gave the King a voice and it was the performance of a lifetime to a nation in grave crisis. In fact, many people have said post WWII it was the Kings speeches that gave them hope and knew that the King had not abandoned them during that time of chaos in history and stood strong by their side especially has it took the courage to hold fast to their position and not relocate to Canada as the government continually requested.
Exodus- Moses said to the LORD, “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.”
What a great review!! I loved the movie..so far I would say it is on top of my list of "what everyone should see!"
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