This 2010 British film is, simply put: splendid. It’s slow-paced, which I think is sort of weird for a film made in the West (those impatient Westerners, eh), it’s about history (not my favourite thing in the world) and about a life filled with duty that can be construed as pretty sad. Colin Firth plays the protagonist Bertie/Albert/King George VI and I must admit, he did a bloody good job (that Oscar’s well deserved, there).
The slow-pace: it feels very different from other movies, not only because it’s so slow, but there are also a lot of scenes without background music (which actually gives a cool effect) and “odd frames”, when the shot looks more like a photograph than a movie frame. But I like it. By God, I know very little about the art of film making but I can appreciate the director’s/cameraman’s unique style. I guess it’s difficult to explain, you’ll just have to see for yourself.
The history: ugh, Nazis. Just before watching this movie I caught up a little with The Sound of Music (which is incredible but still, Nazis). I mean, they’re a fertile ground for creating antagonists/enemies/fears and whatnot but I think having grown up as a German/Polish person the topic of WWI&II is rather sensitive. Although in recent years I’ve been able to approach the subject more maturely so I guess maybe I shouldn’t just say “ugh, Nazis”. And they’re not even really there, they’re just sort of background antagonists. The real antagonist is Bertie’s speech impediment.
Apart from that I’ve found myself quite interested in the British Royal history and family tree. I mean, it’s good to know a little backstory before watching this movie because things can get confusing. So I read a bit about the lives of all of those monarchs, and it’s quite fascinating, but their lives are also a little detached from reality. I guess that’s what makes them interesting, yet I can’t help but feel their yearning for “a normal life” is a tad sad.
The life filled with duty that can be construed as sad: As I’ve just mentioned, the sadness. Bertie had a kind of shitty life. His childhood and youth was filled with illness and bullying, later he became concerned with the future of his country, he survived two wars and at the end there smoking killed him at quite a young age (considering how old his daughter is now). But his life had a lot of bliss, too (at least that’s how they showed it in the movie). He finally found a friend among the “common folk”, he beat his nemesis and he seemed to be rather happy with his wife (which might not be all that common for royalty, like David said: “Your beloved common man may marry for love, why not me?”).
It makes me think about duty and what we put ourselves through; after all, royalty is just another cultural construct. Sure, now you could say: “Well, in that case everything is a cultural construct and nothing matters!” but that’s not my point. My point is rather that we take our freedom (those who have it) for granted and one might think that a king or a prince has privileges we could only dream of but in reality they’re more tied down than us “common folk”. Nobody cares about us, we’re just a statistic in various kinds of papers and files and we can live as we please. Sure, family is kind of a limitation (e.g. if you’re gay in a hostile environment and your family keeps you from living freely) but when you are able to leave your situation only your closest microcosm cares and only for a short time at that. But when a bird in a golden cage decides to rebel there’s a lot more at stake. Like David, who just wanted to follow his heart (as most people want, after all) but in the light of his duties he kind of seems like an enormous, selfish dick.
So, is there something to learn here? I don’t know, I guess “don’t take life for granted” but eh, will we ever learn that? After all:
“[…] you only need the light when it’s burning low
Only miss the sun when it starts to snow
Only know you love her when you let her go”.
And I’m not really here to teach you anything anyway, just to write.
In conclusion, watch “The King’s Speech” ‘cause it’s worth it and they all speak with the best of accents (although lately I find myself to be interested in “lad speak” more than “posh British” but hey, British is British).
Outside Max 