Once again the British gives us commoners a peek behind the palace walls and once again it isn't very pleasant. At least, this time we have a hero who isn't a complete jerk (King George) unlike his daughter as portrayed by Helen Mirren in "The Queen". The jerk in this flick is his brother David who abdicates the throne for an American trollop. The king studders in the day(before WW II)when all radio broadcasts were live. Colin Firth protrays the King and Geoffrey Rush plays the speech therapist and both do an excellent job. The class system and the snobbery are all here and the only thing that breaks it down, if only for a moment in time, is the threat of war.I also want to mention that once again Guy Pearse gives another great performance as the love sick brother David. How Russel Crowe became a bigger star than Pearse I'll never know. Finally, If you want to see one of the few adult movies out this X-mas season-go see "The King's Speech".

A wonderful film! Colin Firth does a superb job as the frightened and tormented Prince of York who becomes King George VI just as WWII starts. He convinces you just how severe and paralyzing his speech impediment was. His stormy on/off/on relationship with speech therapist Lionel Logue reveals some of the possible "environmental" causes behind the condition and the surprising and fascinating "credentials" of the therapist. The sequence of events that eventually creates a strong bond between the King and Lionel is the main dynamic at work in the narrative, and it makes for a gripping tale. The lively chemistry between the king and his therapist makes for theater at its best. Although being reminded of the beginnings of that horrific period in history is always a somber experience, in the context of this story one is truly uplifted by the personal triumph of King George VI, even as Europe is plunged into war.

Colin Firth deserves an Oscar for his performance as the stuttering King George VI. Geoffrey Rush is funny and creative as his speech therapist. Firth must have spent months perfecting his facial expressions, pre-stutter, stutter, post-stutter, and everything in-between. His incredibly realistic characterization of the scared, abused, stuttering king was amazing. It reminded me of Dustin Hoffman's performance years ago as an autistic person in Rain Man. But I think Firth's portrayal is more subtly powerful. The storyline, pacing and visuals were wonderful too.

Intelligent, well written, wonderful performances by Colin Firth and Geoffery Rush (who I think deserved the supporting actor Academy Award) this film describes the incredible struggle of the man who would become King George VI to overcome his lifetime struggle with his speech impediment. Also focuses on the relationship with his "peculiar" speech therapist Lionel Logue, who wants "Bertie" to realise that he doesn't have to live in the shadow of his father or elder brother; and the relationship that comes of the one born into royalty and the commoner. Just an overwhelming feeling of exhuberance at the end of absolutely the BEST picture of the year. Finally a movie where the "words do the talking." See it again!

Colin Firth is amazing Fabulous