more king's speech

i forgot to revisit this film to at least say thank you to the academy. that seems wierd to say since they didn't give me an oscar (jerks). but i was really pulling for king's speech to take a few home. and they did- director, actor, picture & i'm not sure what else. i was slightly offended that geoffrey rush didn't get best supporting. but what are you gonna do. i also feel the need to note, now that i've seen it twice (in theaters- don't judge), a few more things i love about it.

the irony of fear. the glory of friendship.

the irony of fear. lionel, george's speech therapist, was chiding bertie (king george's nickname) for being afraid of the "things he was afraid of when he was 5." it was a gentle chiding. it was needed. it was beautiful encouragement as they discussed childhood traumas, etc. but not more than a minute later in the movie, lionel himself is thrown into a panic, when his wife shows up at the office, because he had failed (& intentionally so) to inform her that he'd been doing speech therapy sessions with the KING. bust. so he's literally trying to hide from her behind a door when he realizes she's arrived. and bertie says, "you're being a coward." and lionel says, "you're right."

i guess it was just the timing that made me smile & see how easy it is to discern where other fears are irrational, fears that we might not have so we can't relate to in the fullest sense. but with our own fears... not as easy to see that they're unreasonable or silly.

and the glory (!) of friendship. what a gift. what a joy. to be known & loved, warts & all. i feel i say this fairly often, but on the other hand, i can't say it enough. and what a great picture of such comraderie in this best picture. (the next sentences are kind of a spoiler, but maybe i take the freedom since it's based on a true story.) as the film draws to a close & bertie's giving a crucial wartime speech, he's in a room with just a microphone & lionel. before bertie starts, he's clearly feeling apprehensive (sweat, pale face, darting eyes, shaky hands). and lionel calms him: "forget everything. just say it to me. say it to me as a friend."

the glory- & in this case, also solace- of friendship. have i mentioned you need to watch this movie!

also, it was precious to hear director tom hooper thanking his "mum" at the oscars. pretty sure he's loving her right now. check it: http://movies.about.com/b/2011/02/27/273277.htm