Screenwriting Lessons: “The King’s Speech” — Part 5: Moments
[Note: This was originally posted February 11, 2011.]
As I watched The King’s Speech recently, I was struck by how many screenwriting lessons could be gleaned from the movie. So I decided this week and next to analyze The King’s Speech and The Social Network, the most likely winners of this year’s Academy Awards for Best Screenplay (Speech for original, Network for adapted) to see what takeaway we could derive from both movies and their excellent screenplays.
Today: The King’s Speech — Moments.
I think it was Hollywood’s first great movie producer Irving Thalberg who said [paraphrased]: “You give me five great moments, I’ll give you a hit movie.” There is truth to those words. How do we remember movies but by key moments — scenes, exchanges, revelations, interactions, something which is both entertaining and compelling.
In David Seidler’s script for The King’s Speech, there are numerous movie moments. In the four previous posts this week, we have examined several of them:
- The opening speech at which Bertie fails miserably, a set-up for the glorious payoff scene at the end where Bertie gives The King’s Speech.
- The intimate but telling scene where Bertie responds to his daughter’s request by telling a silly story about penguins.
- The moment where Bertie works on Lionel’s son’s model airplanes and proceeds to recount one painful secret after another about his upbringing.
- The scene where Bertie and Lionel go for a walk and Lionel dares to suggest that Bertie has what it takes to be king, which so scares Bertie, he spews some terribly hurtful invectives at Lionel, then stalks off, presumably never to see Lionel again.
And then there is this notable moment which gave the movie its R-rating:
LIONEL
You could’ve refused. Don’t you know any
rude words?
BERTIE
What a bloody stupid question! I just said
one. Bloody. Bloodybloodybloody!
LIONEL
Perhaps a touch more vulgar?
BERTIE
Certainly not.
LIONEL
To prove you know how.
BERTIE
Bugger!
LIONEL
A public school prig could do better.
BERTIE
Well bloody bugger to you, you beastly
bastard!
LIONEL
Hardly robust.
BERTIE
Shit then. Shit, shit, shit!
LIONEL
See how defecation flows trippingly from
the tongue? You don’t stutter when you
swear.
BERTIE
Because I’m angry!
LIONEL
Get angry more often. Do you know the f-
word?
BERTIE
Fornication?
LIONEL
Oh Bertie…
BERTIE
Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck!
LIONEL
Bravissimo! Now a resounding chorus of…
BERTIE
Bloody, bloody. bloody! Shit, shit, shit!
Bugger, bugger, bugger! Fuck, fuck, fuck!
A pounding on the wall.
MYRTLE (O.S.)
We have children…!
BERTIE
(whispers)
This is your fault!
LIONEL
Sorry, pet! Won’t happen again!
MYRTLE (O.S.)
I should hope not!
BERTIE
Apologies, Mrs. Logue.
LIONEL
First time I’ve heard you laugh.
BERTIE
Royals aren’t allowed emotions in public.
LIONEL
Which explains a lot.
Structurally this scene signifies a key transition in Bertie’s psychological journey, a clear sign of his Deconstruction as he breaks free of the emotional straight-jacket of his royal upbringing and taps in directly to the seething frustration, bitterness, and anger that has been roiling around in his psyche for years, just waiting to emerge — which is by the way why it’s such a stupid idea to even think about re-editing the movie, as the Weinsteins have threatened, in order to get the film a PG-13 rating.
But beyond being an important scene, it is also a hugely entertaining moment — seeing a King-to-be swearing like a sailor, then apologizing to Lionel’s wife! I took my 10 year-old son to see the movie, explaining to him beforehand about the scene and why the movie had an R-rating. Well, this scene was his absolute favorite moment of all. While Bertie was dropping F-bombs, my son was convulsed with laughter, literally doubling over and collapsing into my arms, that’s how hysterical he thought it was. Watch the scene to remind yourself what a memorable moment it is:
By the way, my son told me afterward The King’s Speech is his favorite movie — ever. In part because he so empathized with Bertie’s character. In part because of all the movie’s memorable moments.
How about that script you’re working on? Go through and count how many movie moments you have. Why do you think they are memorable? Can you do something to make them more entertaining, more compelling, more cinematic?
If you have missed any of this week’s series of Screenwriting Lessons, here are the other posts:
Part 1: Sympathetic Protagonist
Did you like this series? If you’d like me to do more of this in the future, let me know in comments.
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