Believable portrayals and original subject matter make a gripping historical film.

Rating: 10/10 (14 February 2011)

Fantastically believable portrayal of the stuttering King George VI and his journey to overcome that challenge to lead his country in a difficult time.
I thought I had an idea of what somebody would do to portray stuttering... and luckily Colin Firth did something different and so much better. Geoffrey Rush as the perceptive, bold but caring speech therapist actually portrayed calm and peace and belief in "Bertie"... actually giving us an emotional connection much like the real George VI must have experienced.
The backdrop of the building Nazi invasion and World War II provides the tension for the importance of the challenge. George VI thrust into a position he did not desire (due in part to his public speaking difficulties) is rough enough, but in the kind of situation so fraught with peril is terrifying. Colin Firth imbues George VI with a sense of "realness" allowing us to connect with his sadness, his anger & frustration, his fears.
Not much to criticize, it felt like a masterpiece the entire way through. Many times great movies are not highly repeatable for the difficult subject matter, or painful emotions they drag us through. This movie is also difficult to watch but because of something entirely new to me -- stammering. It really is hard to see such struggle with something most of us take for granted. Brilliant!