Why the use of seemingly unnecessary profanity in The King's Speech?

Why the use of seemingly unnecessary profanity in The King's Speech? - Man Wearing Brown Leather Jacket Holding Black Android Smartphone With Brown Case

The storyline of The King's Speech is clearly PG Rated, but the heavy use of profanity words made the movie RATED R. But in contrast to the significant change from PG to R, the usage of those profanity words seemed rather unnecessary in the film with not much impact to the story.

What does the profanity add to the movie's story and themes that made this decision seem good to the film-makers? Is there any word from them about this or some further analysis on the way this IMHO unnecessary profanity added to the film?



Best Answer

While the "profanity" may not have added anything to the storyline per se it is, apparently, merely one possible technique used for "curing" a stammer and that was the primary struggle being depicted.

The effectiveness is questionable however...

"The King's Speech" also touches upon the more ineffective therapies used during the time period, which included trying to speak with pebbles in the mouth and cursing up a storm to get the words out.

LiveScience.com


Another lesson is anger can produce fluency for someone who stutters. Albert is nearly always fluent when he is angry and cursing. So am I.

The Stuttering Foundation

Movie Quote

Lionel Logue: You don’t stammer when you swear.

Nevertheless, an alternate version of the film was issued.

...the Weinstein Co was told that, if 3 of the 5 uses of the swear word “Fuck” were muted, then the pic would receive a lesser rating than its current “R”. No film footage was altered in keeping with director Tom Hooper’s insistence that the stammering king’s pivotal therapy-by-cursing scene not be cut. Deadline initially broke the news that The Weinstein Co was seeking the lower PG-13 film rating in response to educational and church groups who wanted to show the movie.

Deadline.com


This artistic, or rather commercial, license annoyed Firth, who on Oscar night told reporters, “I don’t support it. I think the film has integrity as it stands. I think that scene belongs where it is. I think it serves a purpose.” The cut version also stoked spasms of outrage in the college of critics. “For the benefit of a teensy portion of the population,” wrote John Serba of the Grand Rapids (Mich.) Press, “the artistic vision of director Tom Hooper is compromised …” Roger Ebert tweeted, “Today is the last day you can see ‘The King’s Speech’ with the F word. F**k!”

Time.com


Also, the "R" rating was not used in the UK... where it was initially given a "15" rating which was then downgraded

..BBFC later announced that its classification decision had been given "careful consideration" by its president and director. The board took the view it would be suitable for the less restrictive 12A rating. The BBFC added: "The public would understand why the board has reached this decision."

Colin Firth, who plays the reluctant king, said the context of the words was everything – that they were not being used in a sexual way or to insult or describe anyone. "It would be very interesting to know who the people are who would complain about that stuff ahead of violence."

Guardian.com




Pictures about "Why the use of seemingly unnecessary profanity in The King's Speech?"

Why the use of seemingly unnecessary profanity in The King's Speech? - High angle of pensive African American female freelancer in glasses and casual clothes focusing on screen and interacting with netbook while sitting at table with glass of yummy drink on cafe terrace in sunny day
Why the use of seemingly unnecessary profanity in The King's Speech? - Young troubled woman using laptop at home
Why the use of seemingly unnecessary profanity in The King's Speech? - Serious ethnic young woman using laptop at home








Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Images: Enoch Patro, Andrea Piacquadio, Andrea Piacquadio, Andrea Piacquadio