alfreda89: (Tea -- the universal cure (ask the Docto)
alfreda89 ([personal profile] alfreda89) wrote2011-02-27 06:26 pm

Do you like Historical dramas? See The King's Speech.

Not to over-hype the movie, but it really is excellent. If you enjoy character studies, subtle emotions, occasional explosions, and pivot points in history, then this movie is for you. I would not mind seeing it again soon, if a friend wanted to go with someone. It's that good.

It's about the Duke of York, who became George VI of Great Britain when his older brother King Edward VII decided that he could not live without Wallis Simpson as his wife. She was a twice-divorced American, and the head of the Anglican Church could not marry a woman whose former husbands were still living. Since Edward turned out to be very impressed with Mr. Hitler, this was ultimately a good thing for Britain. But George (Bertie) had a terrible stutter. This is about how he conquered it, with the help of an unusual speech teacher. It's about overcoming life's biggest challenges, and friendship, and duty -- about the Real things.

Apparently the Queen was very touched by this story about her father and mother. Most people did not know this story. They should.

[identity profile] alfreda89.livejournal.com 2011-02-28 04:29 pm (UTC)(link)
Well, I could ask my friend who is a history fiend on English history, but I suspect it's the difference between being an absolute monarch and being the world's most important good will ambassador. The British royal family is the second most important figurehead in the world, after the Emperor of Japan (and she's better known worldwide than he is) but her real power is PR, as I understand it.