The King's Speech

[annettemarie]

My 12-year-old wants to see The King's Speech. I looked online and it appears that the biggest issue is language? Are there any other reasons not to let him see it?

[KYCat]

I think that he can definitely see it. The King rants many times and sometimes his tirades are laced with the f word. There is nothing else remotely bad. There is NO sex and NO violence. Oh - his older brother who abdicates the throne is seeing a married woman for the beginning of the movie. This might or might not bring up a conversation. I think that the fact that this is rated R and all of the violent crap is PG makes me a little crazy. Enjoy.

[joensally]

11 year old DD saw it with us and enjoyed it.  The King's got a temper (as in minor English tantrums ) and curses during them.

[Smokering]

Bad language is a fairly significant/obvious part of the film, as Bertie's speech therapist notices he never stammers when he's cursing or angry. So there's a whole scene in which he encourages him to shout out swear words (and Bertie, being a proper English gentleman, has to be encouraged to use the stronger ones). He does eventually shout out a number of obscenities, including the F-word; and later in the film there are a few scenes when it comes up again - he mutters swear words between the words of his speech when practicing, in order to keep his "flow" going, and when he's giving the speech for real and (obviously!) can't swear on-air, his vocal coach encouragingly whispers swear words in the background when he hesitates.

As swearing goes it's pretty justified in the context of the film, but it's not just a brief moment you can cough through either. :p So it depends how you feel about that.

Otherwise it's pretty tame. There is one scene where someone is wondering what hold Wallis Simpson has on Edward, and Lilibet makes a rather acid comment about "certain talents acquired at an establishment in Shanghai", but it might go over your DD's head. :p There's an intense scene in which Bertie reveals a semi-abusive childhood (nothing sexual or anything - he had a nurse who wouldn't feed him, pinched him etc), which might be upsetting to a very sensitive child. And - is there a death scene? There's a deathbed scene, but I can't remember if the king actually dies onscreen or off. Nothing gory, anyway, just grim and British!

It's a freakin' awesome film, anyway. You should see it. :)

[jenifer111]

You can tell her to watch this movie later and in the mean time try watching some another great animation movies like How to Train your Dragon.

[meemee]

for a 12 year old? How to Train your dragon? no way. that would be way too childish for that age wouldnt it?!!! i havent seen kings speech so i would not know. however i will say i took my 7 year old to see 'young victoria' (she begged me to) and it started her love affair with those kind of movies. she loved Bright Star (about Keats). and yes she enjoyed how to train a dragon. but really i cant see a 12 year old 'enjoying' the movie. i can see them going along and watching it but not getting excited over it. 

Originally Posted by jenifer111 

You can tell her to watch this movie later and in the mean time try watching some another great animation movies like How to Train your Dragon.

[annettemarie]

My 12-year-old liked How to Tame Your Dragon. But he still wants to see The King's Speech.

[ollyoxenfree]

Originally Posted by annettemarie 

My 12-year-old liked How to Tame Your Dragon. But he still wants to see The King's Speech.

My almost 15 y.o. really liked How to Tame Your Dragon. She watched it last week while babysitting the neighbour's children. She's a drama major in a performing arts school, with an interest in film and animation. She also recently enjoyed Rebel Without a Cause and Saving Private Ryan.  She was also very excited when she found out this week about the sequel to Kung Fu Panda. 

[Shantimama]

 I think it is fine for a 12 year old to see.