Superb, with the usual gang of suspects...

Rating: 9/10 (29 December 2010)

I saw this today, and it was just as good as I hoped it would be. Colin Firth should be headed for some awards, as should the rest of the familiar and excellent cast. Firth does not overly sweeten the character of George VI - he's certainly not a saint - but instead creates a character of stunningly real humanity. Indeed, I could have used a few more scenes on how Elizabeth handled her husband's temper. Geoffrey Rush is excellent, as always, as is Helena Bonham Carter in a slightly less Gothic turn than is her wont. The personal crisis of the king is so skillfully interwoven with the impending political crisis that one really feels something of what George must have felt, especially with his wastrel brother's abandoning the ship of state. YES, there is the inspiring ending you would expect, but every bit of it is earned. I recommend this movie with great enthusiasm. If only royals really looked like Colin Firth..