My wife and I saw an unbelievable movie last night called The King’s Speech which was based on the true story of British King George the VI’s (played by Colin Firth) determination to overcome a speech impediment. Okay, that didn’t do the movie justice, but trust me it was a great movie that will likely sweep the Academy Awards this year.
Anyway, the main character has struggled with a debilitating stutter for his entire life and finally finds a speech therapist who is able to help cure his condition. Immediately, Dr. Lionel Logue insists on being called “Lionel”. After years of therapy, the prince is annointed to king and is to accept the throne in front of the public at Westminster Abbey. The Arch-Bishop responsible for the ceremony is introduced to Dr. Logue and decides to look into his credentials. Upon completion of the background check, he informs the king that Dr. Logue is not, in fact a doctor. Now, he explains that he never claimed that he was a doctor and that regardless of whether he was or not, he had successfully treated the king. And of course, this being a movie everything ends happily.
While the movie is based on a true story, I am not sure if there was ever a controversy over Lionel Logue’s credentials. However, true or not it does raise the issue of how important it is to know the qualifications of those we choose to employ. It also depicts what reference credentialing might have looked like in the late 1930′s.
Pretty interesting stuff. And in my maiden voyage as a film critic, I give it two thumbs up!
