The Screenwriter’s Art: “The King’s Speech”
On Sunday, January 2nd, the NYT had a special section called The Oscars. It’s got some excellent articles and I highly recommend it.
One of the features they ran was excerpts from four screenplays, each likely to be nominated for this year’s Academy Awards. Today: The King’s Speech, written by David Seidler.
Int. Logue’s consultation room — day
A different universe from the spartan waiting area. A world of books — piles of them spilling everywhere. Two slightly shabby, but comfortable armchairs. Well-worn Turkish rug.
Hot plate and two chipped mugs. Recording apparatus. Model airplanes.
Bertie sits uneasily on an armchair. Lionel goes to sit at a distance.
LIONEL: I was told not to sit too close.
Bertie remains silent.
I was also told, speaking with a royal, one waits for the royal to choose the topic.
BERTIE: Waiting for me to commence a conversation, one can wait a rather long wait.
LIONEL: Know any jokes?
BERTIE: Timing isn’t my strong suit.
Silence. They stare at each other.
LIONEL: Cuppa tea?
BERTIE: No, thank you.
LIONEL: I think I’ll have one.
Turns on the hot plate.
BERTIE: Aren’t you going to start treating me, Dr. Logue?
LIONEL: Only if you’re interested in being treated. Please, call me Lionel.
BERTIE: I prefer Doctor.
LIONEL: I prefer Lionel. What’ll I call you?
BERTIE: Your Royal Highness, then Sir after that.
LIONEL: A bit formal for here. What about your name?
BERTIE: Prince Albert Frederick Arthur George?
LIONEL: How about Bertie?
BERTIE: (flushes) Only my family uses that.
LIONEL: Perfect. In here, it’s better if we’re equals.
BERTIE: If we were equal I wouldn’t be here. I’d be at home with my wife and no one would give a damn.
Bertie starts to light a cigarette from a silver case.
LIONEL: Don’t do that.
Bertie gives him an astonished look.
BERTIE: I’m sorry?
LIONEL: Sucking smoke into your lungs will kill you.
BERTIE: My physicians say it relaxes the throat.
LIONEL: They’re idiots.
BERTIE: They’ve all been knighted.
LIONEL: Makes it official then. My “castle,” my rules. What was your earliest memory?
BERTIE: What an earth do you mean?
LIONEL: First recollection.
BERTIE: (stammer growing in intensity) I’m not here to discuss personal matters.
LIONEL: Why’re you here then?
BERTIE (exploding — stammer free) Because I bloody well stammer!
LIONEL: Temper.
BERTIE: One of my many faults.
I already posted about the remarkable story behind the story of The King’s Speech, how one of Hollywood’s hot writers who just signed with UTA is the screenwriter David Seidler, who happens to be 73 years old.
Here is an interesting article about how the movie came into being. As usual, it all started with a writer’s vision…
HT to @eacion for the link.
Those of you who have seen The King’s Speech, what did you think?
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