I was talking recently with an Academy member who shall remain nameless and “The King’s Speech” came up. This is what you’d definitely call a “steak eater” voter, if you will, part of a below-the-line branch, real rank and file type with zero connection to the film. I thought I’d share his feelings on the movie because I think they might offer some insight for those wondering how or why the film is resonating so much:
I watched that movie and it made me understand why I love movies. I don’t know, humanity, I guess, man. Trusting in another human being and your most vulnerable f***ing thing that you’re the most terrified of and give it to somebody else? I mean, I come from recovery. I’ve been sober for 26 years. The idea to say, “Please help me,” is the transformation of a lifetime if you’re willing and can ever get to that place. For me that movie resonated in so many f***ing ways. I came away going, “Well, that’s my movie. F*** everything else.”
Sure, it’s a specific guy’s thought process. But there is nuance built into that heart/head, see/feel debate raging in this year’s race, and I think these comments do a nice job of illuminating some of that.
[Photo: The Weinstein Company]
Comments
142 responses to “Relatability”
Exactly!
“Please help me” resonates on a very deep level with anyone who’s struggled and needed the help of others to heal or be better or succeed or whatever. That really is, to my understanding, what people have been responding to.
And I may have just touched on a key element to the film’s success with the Guilds. It RESONATES with them in a way the other films didn’t. It speaks to their hearts and, to steal a line my Dad uses a bit too much, their better angels.
It feels good to reward that.
Besides, at the end of the day (something I say a bit too much, I think), The Best of Anything is an entirely subjective decision based on tricky personal likes and dislikes. Someone will always disagree with your choice.
“F*** everything else.”
I laughed. Atta boy.
And in the end, whether it’s the one you’re rooting for or not, that’s the sort of reaction we all want from movies, and I can only hope that all members of the Academy who are fortunate enough to get a say in it feel the same way about the films and performances they vote for.
What a myopic, narrow-minded donkey…wow! Sobriety is obviously not all it’s cracked up to be.
Great insider info/commentary, Kris. As usual. I can understand why TKS is resonating.
I have a bigger problem with The Academy handing a Best Director award to Tom Hooper over the likes of Darren Aronofsky and David Fincher. The DGA doing it was disturbing enough and then Christopher Nolan was in the mix.
“And in the end, whether it’s the one you’re rooting for or not, that’s the sort of reaction we all want from movies, and I can only hope that all members of the Academy who are fortunate enough to get a say in it feel the same way about the films and performances they vote for.”
Pre. Cise. Ly.
It’s a worthy best picture winner. It wouldn’t be my choice, but I loved it, and there you have it.
I think I know which scene this guy related to the most…
Well sorry to disagree, but I do not feel the best picture winner should be based on emotional response.
“I think I know which scene this guy related to the most…”
Haha, brilliant.
But at the end of the day, it’s about an uber rich monarch who struggles with a speech impediment. In regards to the severity of his problem, it’s on the “not that important” scale.
I wonder what that guy thought of True Grit.
Um……wow. The Academy can have The King’s Speech as their best picture. It’s truly the movie they deserve.
“Well sorry to disagree, but I do not feel the best picture winner should be based on emotional response.”
To you, that is. Everything is sure to be subjective, whether it’s an emotional response or an analytical one. So why is one more important than the other?
What is art and cinema for if it doesn’t move us on a human, emotional level? It’s not mathematics.
Plus the framing is fantastic!
“What a myopic, narrow-minded donkey…wow! Sobriety is obviously not all it’s cracked up to be.”
This is such a hate-filled response it’s not even worth responding to other than to point out the obvious: You’re a dick.
The following is a comment I read on TKS’ User Ratings site of Yahoo Movies. The scene she recounts matches the movie perfectly. Maybe people like JW will say who cares what senile old farts think. The King’s Speech isn’t a monumental movie, but it beautifully reminds of the humanity that can be found within all of us, even JW. (Sorry if it’s too long.)
“A True King of the People
by SuzannaB Jan 12, 2011
I remember so well listening to those long pauses when the King spoke on the wireless, and the sighs of pure relief when he completed a phrase then paused again. I also have a very special memory of the king when I was a little five-year old walking home with my mum following a day at Aintree races,we lived at Maghull, and the Royal Limo. paused then stopped and my new hero stepped out to speak to me. I explained about how my mittens were attached to my coat with a ribbon so that I couldn’t lose the mittens. I remember inviting him to come home to our house for tea which was to be soft boiled eggs, soldiers, stewed plums and custard, and cupfuls of hot, sweet tea. He told me he would like to come but was expected elsewhere. He said he had lost a glove once and I remember suggesting that he ask his mum to sew them onto a ribbon. He looked at my gobsmacked mother and told her, “This is the hope of the world mother”. I had no idea who he was until my mum explained to me who he and the lady in the car were. I still was not impressed but I have loved and nurtured that memory for almost 62 years. Four yeas after my encounter with him, my hero was dead.When I watched this wonderful movie, I wept throughout most of it as it brought back memories of times both terrible and wonderful.”
I totally get this. I mean for me I have had a stuttering problem my whole life, so I connected to it in that personal, and yes, emotional level. How is that feeling irrelevant when judging films or any kind of art?
And this is coming from someone who ranks Social Network above The King’s Speech (though in the end, neither film would be my Best Picture pick, but neither here nor there).
Calling out Jeff Wells for being a total assclown aside, I think this is a good piece of insight, and I’ve been saying that this is what would give the film the edge since day one. Gotta hand it to Harvey, he really formulated a brilliant campaign strategy for the film, and it worked. I don’t begrudge him. I don’t like Harvey one iota, but he’s damn good at his job, and The King’s Speech is a worthy film to see him finally back in the game. I’m glad it’s winning, even if it’s not my absolute favorite film of the year. It’s a wonderful film, and I couldn’t be happier for all involved.
Rashad:
He may be rich, but he didn’t chose to be. Likewise, he didn’t chose to be king. He had to ask for help so that he would no longer face humiliation from the masses. The almost sole duty of a king is to make speeches so of course it’s big deal for the character.
Honestly, that was some really lame reasoning. The incessant swearing didn’t help either.
If the Academy wanted to reward an emotionally resonant, moving picture, then there’s “Toy Story 3”; “Rabbit Hole”; “Another Year;” “The Fighter”; “127 Hours.” Those were, to me, affecting pictures. “The King’s Speech,” for all the talk of it being this amazingly warm and human picture, feels rather cold.
I’m not saying emotions should not be taken into consideration, but I hardly think that an emotional response is indicative of the quality of the entire film.
How does The King’s Speech seem cold? I don’t really get the way people keep bashing the film now that it has emerged as the clear frontrunner. The scenes between Firth and Rush are deeply emotional, maybe not in a melodramatic over the top kinda way, but they work and they work well. And sorry but if a film can get such an emotional reaction out of you, what’s the problem with voting for it? After all, that’s something amazing that a work of art can do, make you feel “something.” No movie this year made me feel more moved and shaken than Black Swan, yes it’s a brilliantly put together film, but at the end of the day the reason I’d vote for it in Picture (and lead actress) is because of the amazing response it brought me to. If I’m choosing Director, Editing, Cinematography, etc that’s when I think about it more in terms of the technical proficiency of the film (and I’d vote for Black Swan in all those categories too actually), but for Picture, the one award that takes into consideration how all those technical aspects of a movie come together to create the overall effect, then yes I would say your emotional response to the film is incredibly valuable in determining whether you’d vote for a film or not.
Kristopher, reading your comments during this time is so incredibly refreshing, I’ve become incredibly disheartened by the whole awards thing after reading comment after comment comparing TSN to Citizen Kane and TKS to basically the worst films ever made (just today I read a long essay that very unfairly compared TKS to How Green Was My Valley, ugh). It’s so ridiculous and shameful.
Who said it was, Troy? It’s indicative of a response. I didn’t say it was anything more, nor did he, really. They aren’t critics. Nor should they be.
English: That’s a typically childish sentiment from you. “Lame reasoning?” I thought it was quite fair, but of course, since you disagree, you have to toss sand about the sandbox. You can’t just disagree and/or offer something else as a counter. Again: childish.
I agree with a lot of mentality here. Is The King’s Speech the film that I truly think is the best or most memorable? No, for me, that’s still Inception or Animal Kingdom.
But I really liked “The King’s Speech.” And so did critics. This is a “Great” movie according to the RT score and critics reviews. So, this isn’t like Sasha Stone tries to portray as the “lesser” film winning. If it were my vote, I’d go with one of the other two I mentioned, but I think this is a great and respectable win nonetheless.
Besides, since when did it become inappropriate for a greatly directed and performed crowd pleaser with a wonderful story and message to win Best Picture? If people really want to love a movie that is by almost unanimous accounts good or great, let them vote for it.
I think it’s a great year for Oscars…and most years are. For the most part, ‘most’ of the best films are recognized…cinema is a wonderful thing and serves many audiences…the Academy being one.
Raymond, it just didn’t connect with me. I admired the acting and the care for which it was made, but I never felt moved. It didn’t feel genuine, it felt kind of bloodless (to take a description from Guy). It’s obvious by now that many people were indeed touched by it, however, so I’m simply very, very confused. I must have gone to see a different movie.
Within context of his quote, the resonance came off as being on an emotional level. But I guess I’ll concede that I shouldn’t expect them to vote as critics.
I like the element about a man adapting to a world slipping into mass communication. Like the movie states, reluctantly becoming an actor. If The Social Network was truly a “defines a generation” movie it would be about the same thing, only the world is slipping into it. a world CHOOSING to use their facebook page as their own personal tabloid about themselves. I think that makes the The King’s Speech a little more culturally relevant to me, showing where what we do today started (using the wireless to tell the story instead of the net). Besides who wants to see another archetype about Friendship and Betrayal win best pic anyway?
***Besides who wants to see another archetype about Friendship and Betrayal win best pic anyway?***
Another?
Who wants to see another archetype of overcoming adversity win Best Picture? That seems the more common theme.
I’m not going to dismiss his reaction to the film, but I do hope people wouldn’t evaluate movies the way he does.
It’s once again “I loved the story, so I love the film”. And I can’t even understand entirely his personal reaction. Having a speech therapist is not the same as having a person to help you build your life again as is his case. The King’s situation was pretty much “I have a specific problem, I hire someone to solve it”.
Apart from that, it also seems that “I love the role” once again means “I love the performance”.
But even if we accept all these things, it still doesn’t make sense to give Hooper the Oscar. You were moved by the movie. OK. Were you also moved by the direction? How can a direction move you?
Emotional reaction is fine. But it also gives people the chance to manipulate viewers by making movies in a specific way and end up being called “the best of the year” whether they deserve it artistically or not. That is unfair to other filmmakers.
The point of TKS having a lot of heart is probably the best way to summarize its appeal. Of the ten nominees, only Toy Story 3 can compete with TKS on that basis.
English- that was just me amusing myself. I was just recalling in my head all the hatred for the archetypal story in Avatar. I understand archetypes are everywhere and they exist in both of our front runners. it was just an inside joke that included only me. definitely unnecessary for me to type it.
Thanks for sharing this Kris.
“Who wants to see another archetype of overcoming adversity win Best Picture? That seems the more common theme.”
Jesus Christ. It’s a timeless theme. It is, in fact, a pillar of screenwriting. Are you kidding me with this?
“Having a speech therapist is not the same as having a person to help you build your life again as is his case. The King’s situation was pretty much “I have a specific problem, I hire someone to solve it”.”
You are, truly, missing the point. As in, way, way, way off the mark. The point is how deflating that problem was, to the psyche, and the helplessness, and how difficult it can be to appear exposed in order to get the help.
It wasn’t like he had a leaky faucet.
“deserve it artistically”
Once again. Subjective. To think otherwise is pure arrogance.
“The point is how deflating that problem was, to the psyche, and the helplessness, and how difficult it can be to appear exposed in order to get the help.”
I get that, except that you’re overstating it. He goes to someone who is specialized in these cases. He knows Rush’s character has seen plenty of cases just like his. And he’s not obliged to tell anything about his personal life. He only does it when he feels like it.
“Subjective. To think otherwise is pure arrogance.”
Now who is missing the point? I’m saying that statements like that one suggest (not very subtly) an indifference to the subjective artistic value of a movie.
“I loved it. I vote for it. Maybe I don’t think it’s as well made as that other film but I won’t think about that.”
He’s not obliged to do so but he does, and ultimately needs, to do so. Is that so unclear? Honestly, I fail to see how you can argue this point successfully. Or maybe I’m just MISSING your point.
And his statement doesn’t suggest an indifference to a way of thought, just other films he’d seen. You are totally putting words into his mouth, so much so that you’re making up a quote to help justify your dubious position.
Kris, I am this close to unsubscribing to other Oscar-related sites and just sticking with yours. I was impressed with your fairness with regards to the King’s Speech and I like that you don’t get on a bandwagon and completely diss a film just because it’s ahead of *your* film in the polls (yes, that’s you JW – poor boy not gettin’ his way gonna pout and throw things). You seem to be a level-headed guy. I like that. Will definitely keep reading InContention.
The picture here reminds me of a interesting insight I read on the TWoP boards. In the opening and closing speeches, Hooper tends to frame the microphone in a way that it almost seems like it bears down on poor Bertie. In this sense, the microphone is given the role of antagonist, and I just for some reason thought that was brilliant, if simple. Doesn’t mean I think Hooper should win Director, but nonetheless, the film on has values on its own merits, and it would make a very handsome Best Picture winner.
I don’t see how what you said is different from what I said. We agree that he doesn’t have to.
And let’s see if we disagree on this one: He said : I loved the story of this film more than any other movie’s so I vote for it.
I could assume he meant that it was also wonderfully made but that would be putting words in his mouth.
By the way, “missing the point” is your favorite phrase, even more than “what a stupid comment” ;)
Kris, I agree with you and there’ s nothing particularly wrong with that archetype. It’s often used to great success. I only brought it up as a rebuttal to Derek’s comment, which he made clear by now wasn’t a serious comment.
Jesus Christ, people will find ways to attack the best picture frontrunner/winner no matter what. They did it last year with The Hurt Locker, a stunning film with a perfect performance from Jeremy Renner at it’s helm. They did it the year before with Slumdog, a picture that left audiences smiling and inspired, but was also a fantastically put together work, with some of the best editing of the past decade. This year is no different: The King’s Speech is a well made film with great performances from both Firth and Rush and an excellent screenplay to play off of. And that climactic scene where he finally gives that speech is one of my favorite parts of any film of the past year. Is it my favorite film of the year? No, but with both of the previous winners, I had brief moments where I was hoping for them to fail, but ultimately, they both sit among my favorite films, and in both cases, I think the “right” film one. Not necessarily the best, not necessarily my favorite, but films that aligned perfectly with the films the Academy loves, and it mademe realize: you can never discount that emotional impact from a film in the Oscar race, because it counts for a lot.
I’m fine with it winning best picture, but I hope the Academy decides to spread the wealth a bit so that all my favorite films get some attention: The King’s Speech for BP and Actor The Social Network for BD, The Fighter for the supporting categories and the techs for Inception. Don’t know if it will go down like that at all, but I’d love to see it happen.
I don’t want to detract from anyone that had an emotional reaction to a film, particularly a good one (“King’s Speech” is a good film just not great). However, I feel it’s that narrow-view of cinema that lets movies like “King’s Speech”, “Crash” and “A Beautiful Mind” win Best Picture. “This story had a good message, or this story moved me, therefore it’s the Best Picture of the year.” Honestly, most movies have a good message. It’s all in the delivery. To one extent or another, I think most of these Best Picture winners (and “The King’s Speech”) largely rest on the laurels of their basic story. The Academy has often been chided for picking the calculatedly inspirational story (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbhrz1-4hN4). In large part, that’s “The King’s Speech” for me. Despite inherently interesting material, the film was quite dull. Compare that with (yes) “The Social Network”, which had a premise that left many skeptical. A film about the founding of Facebook and the surrounding litigation?! Yet, it’s absolutely riveting and filled with resonant themes. Just my two cents.
Hans, nice shout out to TWoP; one of my favorite boards.
Relate? Not relate? Whatever. I sat down, watched The King’s Speech and thought it was a very good movie. Not the best, but very, very good. If it’s relatable to a lot of people, fantastic. Many people will be happy if it wins (including me). I preferred other movies this year, but I’ve seen far worse winners in the past. That’s my story & I’m stickin’ to it. :)
***Jesus Christ, people will find ways to attack the best picture frontrunner/winner no matter what. They did it last year with The Hurt Locker, a stunning film with a perfect performance from Jeremy Renner at it’s helm.***
Maybe some people just have, erm, different opinions? I didn’t think “The Hurt Locker” was anywhere close to ‘stunning,’ nor did I think Renner’s performance was ‘perfect.’ And that was before it started to barrel through the awards season.
How interesting is that someone’s comment for The King’s Speech has so many f-bombs xD
Thanks for posting this. As others have said, it’s refreshing to read articles on this site because of the willingness to be objective and see both sides. I’d just like to say that while TKS is definitely a movie you feel, it also has artistic merits, IMO.
Hans, I completely agree about the microphone shot, it was definitely a great directoral choice on Hooper’s part. One of many, IMO, of course.
And you know, I think we’ve all had favorites that didn’t win or even get nominated. It’s nice to have your opinion validated, but it’s not everything. The critics had their opinions and the guilds have theirs, and so will the Academy. None of those were or will be unanimous across the board and there is no exact measure of Best anything.
The films you will remember 10 years from now may not be what I remember 10 years from now. It is what it is.
But I always try to enjoy the awards season for, hopefully, the great films. And this year was a great year for film.
It goes the same way with the others who thought The Social Network or Inception or Black Swan should win Best Picture… Because they love the film… The question is why do they love the film?
“For me that movie resonated in so many f***ing ways. ”
or for some, because of artistic value…
I think it’s not TKS fault if it was an Oscar bait nor TSN for winning all critics’ awards…
It is still on how the film made an impact on its viewer or audience…
I agree with Speaking English, I found “The King’s Speech” to be rather cold and unemotional. I love heart-warming films (I am a huge Capra fan), but this was not one of those films for me. It was a slightly interesting story about a guy with a speech impediment, and that’s where it ended for me.
I had a much more emotional response to “The Social Network”. Regardless of people calling it hyperbole, it did represent many of the attitudes of people I know from my generation, and I had just as personal reaction to it as this recovering alcoholic had to “The King’s Speech”. I’m glad he liked “The King’s Speech”, and I’m glad I like “The Social Network”.
Frankly, I’m getting tired of hearing about how I’m obligated to recognize “The King’s Speech” as a deserving Best Picture winner. I loved “The Social Network” and thought “The King’s Speech” was mediocre, and I will be disappointed when it wins on Oscar night. If you really loved “The King’s Speech”, and think “The Social Network” is one of the most overrated films in recent memory, cool, that’s fine. Different people, different opinions. Since everything is subjective though, I don’t have agree with your opinion or even admit there is some truth to it, just as you don’t have to agree with mine or admit there is some truth to it.
“Frankly, I’m getting tired of hearing about how I’m obligated to recognize “The King’s Speech” as a deserving Best Picture winner.”
Before the PGA lots of people felt the same way, only insert TSN where you have TKS. I’m not yet tired of the King’s Speech hyperbole yet. I find it refreshing after all the critics awards. However I most crave True Grit hyperbole!
Historical inaccuracies aside, my biggest problem with TKS is the fact there really aren’t enough moments where it’s just Bertie and Lionel. The Royal politics completely bored me, and for a movie to be sold on their friendship, it seemed second fiddle