I always thought the story of the emperor’s new clothes applied to many situations in life. Many times, you find yourself agreeing with things you’re not really sure are right because it’s said so. I see that with most Oscar winning movies. Movies I have never heard of are nominated and then receive the award. Im confused, I thought Nicholas Spark’s novel turned film, The Notebook, was an amazing movie and deserved the Oscar. Not that movie with Adrian Brody that was only out in select theatres (coincidentally no theatre near me). So, when the King’s Speech won the entire show, I thought it had to be another award winning film that only the critics could understand. I decided to pass up on seeing the movie in theatres, save my money, and see Avatar. Obviously any movie made in 3D would be better than the now equivalent to black and white movies, 2D. Then, the other night I found myself looking through Redbox at Walmart. I wanted to see Easy A with Emma Stone, I heard it was funny. Of course, Redbox’s extremely limited selection did not offer Easy A. I had to search through the entire catalog while a family waited behind me (im) patiently. Finally, I scrolled to A King’s Speech and thought well it has to be better than watching Will Ferrell’s The Other Guys for the 5th time. So I left with A King’s Speech. I was surprise when Redbox charged their usual one dollar for the Oscar winning movie. It’s like buying Loubitons shoes for the price of Steve Madden’s. What a steal!
I set up the movie expecting it turn out as the same disappointment as the other Oscar wining movies. I was ready to fall asleep before the golden statue deserving film ended. An already long story short, I fell in love! This movie was amazing from start to finish. At one point, the camera angle along with the acting was so perfect I actually understood what the director was thinking. It was then that I thought, every movie should strive for this perfection. Any movie that falls short of this effort is not working hard enough to impress me. (Mind you my three favorite movies of all times are Star Wars, Pirates of the Caribbean, and The Goonies).
The plot of the movie, overcoming fears, was cool. But there was a more personal attraction to the subplot that captured me; the role media has on society and how hard the people in front of and behind the medium work. I think one of the most moving scenes for me was the end, when the King of England is reading his speech aloud into a microphone while an entire nation listens. At this time in history, radio was a new frontier and being used by leaders to communicate with the masses. The King was extremely nervous to speak to millions with his speech impediment. This microphone was his enemy, but he had to come to terms with it because everyone knew that this new innovation could speak to everyone.
A lot has changed since radio was the main means of communication. Ever since that time, it was like media accelerated at the speed of light. Next came television, then the internet. And we all know what the internet did to communication. But the goal remains the same for those of us in the art of communication. Every time we get behind that medium, whether it’s a camera, computer, or radio microphone, those who value their careers in communications are working hard to get the word across.
Another already long story short, watch the movie. Its pretty good.
