An accomplished bit of storytelling

Rating: 9/10 (14 February 2011)

It's a known story so the plot is out there; the quality of the acting, which was simply superb, has been well documented; technically the film is shot well and it looks beautiful - but why is a film about a bloke with a stutter proving such a hit with critics and the public alike?
It's a glimpse back to a period of time where the world was dramatically changing. The old Empires were collapsing, the Great War had an enormous impact on Europe with the threat of a greater war on the horizon. For the ruling elite things had also changed significantly, one of the key technological advance of the day was the precursor to 'Media' as we now know it. Where before you would have had printed court reports and you might have seen Royalty pass you briefly in a carriage, now you were hearing and seeing them as living breathing human beings. For our dear Bertie, the timing wasn't brilliant. The inclusion of these events was subtle but none the less still extremely valid to the film as it struck me that the future King George had a far greater understanding of his duty and what the country required to face the dark future looming - unlike his older brother . I'm sure there was artistic licence involved but from what I've read it has a ring of truth about it.
Then there is the struggle to overcome what could be classed as a disability, not just for personal reasons but because it was vital that the country had a strong King at that time and the stammer could/would have been seen as a weakness. Again, I can't speak for anyone else but I was willing Bertie along with all my heart at the end of the film and felt extremely proud of him at the conclusion. A great film with a great story and great characters does that to you.
I thought it was excellent.