The President's Speech

I haven't been to the cinema alone for the longest time, the last one was Eric Khoo's Be With Me, the first show on a weekday morning. I used to enjoy them when I was in the army, no longer the need to do so now that I have a companion. Then again with Shaw having its newest theatres in the neighborhood, spontaneous visits to the cinema after dinner is now made so possible and convenient. There are some movies better appreciated when left alone.

After the success of Tom Hooper's The King Speech at this year's Oscars, the Americans, as great innovators themselves are in the midst of releasing their own rendition:



Jokes aside, The King's Speech (Number 61) is another peculiar winner in mainstream Hollywood, the third in a row (Slumdog, Hurt Locker...) kinda reflects how Hollywood is shifting itself away from the popular masses. As "crude" as it is now, you'll never know when the Oscars will be held as high regard by cineastes as your Cannes, Berlin, Venice, etc...

King George VI is not our time but we probably have heard about him via our very own King George's Road and Avenue... and of course on the old colonial coins and notes my grandfather left behind.

Director Tom Hooper behind the lens.

I can relate to the film on a personal level. I have speech impediment myself and stammer quite terribly, but so much so that I aced for all my oral exams, only because MOE accepted my doctor's letter. Maybe I should see a therapist one day. But in any case, cheers to another small film!