We took a trip downtown today for lunch and to see a movie. It was the first time I’ve been able to go out for an extended period of time without coughing up a lung, sneezing or blowing my nose the entire time. A miracle!
Such was The King’s Speech, a film about Albert, Duke of York and a commoner. I can’t say enough good things about Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, and Helena Bonham Carter except that the Golden Globe nominations serve them and the film and director Tom Hooper well. We have much enjoyed Mr. Hooper’s series on John Adams.
In the best way possible, this film showed us the anguish of being required to be a public speaker and being unable to do so in the manner desired by the speaker or the listeners. I know that feeling. While I don’t stammer, I am a reluctant and very nervous public speaker so put myself through the wringer a few years ago speaking in public. I got a little better at it and retired.
This film is notable for its differences between public and private matters, royalty and the common man. I can’t tell you of one of my favorite scenes, which takes place in the “commoner’s” dining room. That the men became lifelong friends lends me hope for what remains of the British monarchy, as being the head of state and never meeting a commoner other than one’s servants is a single-minded endeavor that means one is never really in touch with the people. Think about Diana and and how her tragic and short life changed the monarchy more than a fraction of an inch, maybe an entire inch. That’s pretty impressive!
In “The Queen,” another recent movie I enjoy, it was said that when the Queen visited the flowers laid at Buckingham Palace on behalf of Diana it was the first time she’d been in public since the end of WWII? If I’m right on that, how can any monarch know the pains and deprivations of their own people, especially being the richest woman on earth with dozens and dozens of personal servants?
Her father needed one commoner, a speech therapist, and recent papers have come to light this year of a letter from who we know as the former “Queen Mum,” to Lionel Logue, a note of thanks for his technical expertise as well as life teachings and friendship.
In America, our Constitution disallows a monarchy but we still look to Britain for pomp, titles, royal weddings and royal scandals. Our politicians have enough scandals of their own.
The other day I picked a Netflix On Demand film, Stone of Destiny, which is about the Stone of Scone that is seated on King Edward I (Longshanks) throne beneath a cushion and seat. It may be Jacob’s Pillow, it may be a cistern cover but it is the symbol of Scottish independence and was stolen by Edward I in the 13th Century. It was stolen from Westminster Abbey in 1950 by Scottish college students seeking independence, and returned. Since the 1990’s it has been lent to Scotland, to be returned to London for coronations.
One movie reviewer asked why it took a “Yank” to write the film. It’s produced and directed from Canada. I would say that there are a fair amount of Scots, Brits and Irish here in these United States. I’ve had the privilege of several months in Scotland and London and my heart is with the Scots. But that’s probably because I’m part Irish. Troublemakers, all. If you want to see an Oscar-winning film, please go see The King’s Speech. Cheers, Dee
Cooking with Dee 