It takes leadership to confront a nation's fear. It takes friendship to conquer your own.

Starring: Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter, Guy Pearce, Timothy Spall, Derek Jacobi, Jennifer Ehle, Michael Gambon, Claire Bloom

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"This family's been reduced to those lowest, basest of all creatures. We've become actors!" - King George V

Why watch this? Some British films are so delightful. This is one of them.

Plot Summary: Prince Albert, Duke of York, unexpectedly becomes King George VI and must overcome a severe stammer to lead his nation. His wife, Elizabeth, seeks the help of an unconventional Australian speech therapist, Lionel Logue. Despite initial clashes, a unique and supportive friendship blossoms between the two men as Logue employs unorthodox methods to help the future king find his voice and confidence, especially as World War II looms.

Dad's Preview: This wonderful period film centers on King George V and his stuttering problem. To help, he hires a renown Australian speech therapist. The heart of the film is their lessons and how the teacher breaks through to a very stubborn patriarch.  At the Oscars, it won Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Director and Best Original Screenplay. Firth won for Best Actor, but I find Geoffrey Rush's performance, as the patient therapist, to be just as compelling. This is a speech that is well-worth experiencing.

UK Film Council, Aegis Film Fund, FilmNation Ent., See-Saw Films,
Bedlam Prod.; Momentum Pictures