George could have used the Public Speaking class that I recently took

Rating: 9/10 (26 January 2011)

So here it is. The movie that might finally win Colin Firth an Oscar (I'm certainly rooting for him)*. I had actually never known about King George VI's stutter until "The King's Speech" came out. Firth brings the character to life brilliantly. The viewer really comes to understand what it must have been like for this man, mildly ostracized within his extended family, to suddenly have to lead his country and the empire while Europe marched irreversibly towards another war.
Plenty of fine support comes from the other cast members. Geoffrey Rush plays Lionel Logue, who gives George the speech lessons. Helena Bonham Carter plays the tolerant but frustrated Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon. Also starring are Guy Pearce as Edward VIII, Michael Gambon as George V, Timothy Spall as Winston Churchill, Jennifer Ehle as Myrtle Logue, Derek Jacobi as the Archbishop of Canterbury, and Claire Bloom as Queen Mary. But without a doubt, the movie belongs to Firth. He brings the same flair to this role that he brought to that of the closeted homosexual professor in "A Single Man" last year.
Does the movie have any drawbacks? Well, maybe the concept of a monarchy IS a little hard to justify, especially considering how widespread the poverty in England was. And clearly the movie took some liberties with accuracy. But overall, this is definitely a movie that I recommend.
*Colin Firth looks likely to win for this one, much like how Helen Mirren won for playing Elizabeth II in "The Queen" four years ago. Maybe people have to quadrennially play members of the House of Windsor to ensure Oscar wins.