Music Sunday: A celebration of rituals

It seems that most years I scramble to see every movie nominated to win the Oscar for Best Picture before the live broadcast of the Academy Awards. This year is no different.  I started with The Black Swan and ended with The Kids are All Right. Even if I have seen them, I dutifully watch them again so they are fresh in my mind for the judging.  It is both the advanced preparation and the pomp and circumstance of the evening that make it such an incredible ritual. I must be prepared.

However, I did not realize that I had chosen a favorite movie until earlier this week. While shopping, I heard the enchanting soundtrack from The King's Speech. The music by Alexandre Desplat is just light enough to add a playful streak to the soon-to-be-King's speech impediment, yet strong enough to exude the serious time in history that is portrayed in the movie. England and soon the world were to be engaged in the great war. They needed a strong leader capable of speaking for and to the people.

Fortunately, the reluctant but duty-bound Albert Frederick Arthur George found a friend that could help him and he succeeded in leaving a legacy as King George VI in a time of great change for the world and the English Monarchy.



Finding a friend is never without frustrations. But by the end of The King's Speech, we learned a true friend loves you despite your faults, helps you overcome your weaknesses and knows when their place is in the background cheering you on.  I hope that you enjoy the soundtrack as much as I. I hope you are enchanted too.