THE KING’S SPEECH (12A, 118 mins) *****
Starring Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter, Guy Pearce, Michael Gambon, Timothy Spall, Eve Best

Last year, Colin Firth was cruelly denied an Oscar for his revelatory performance as a suicidal gay lecturer in A Single Man.

This year, he should definitely practise his acceptance speech for this heartrending portrayal of King George VI in Tom Hooper’s majestic comedy drama.

Firth is matched laugh-for-laugh by Geoffrey Rush in imperious form, and the cream of homegrown acting talent provides illustrious support, including Timothy Spall as Winston Churchill.

The King’s Speech is an impeccably-crafted chapter from recent British history that charts a remarkable and unlikely friendship between two men from opposite sides of the class divide.

When King George V (Gambon) dies in 1936, eldest son Edward (Pearce) ascends the throne, but his reign is shrouded in scandal as he continues to romance American divorcee Wallis Simpson (Best).

Love triumphs over duty and Edward abdicates, forcing youngest son Albert (Firth) into the spotlight.

However, the newly-crowned King George VI suffers from a crippling stammer, which renders him unable to deliver public addresses.

With war imminent and the country looking to its King for leadership, Queen Elizabeth (Bonham Carter) approaches unconventional Australian-born speech therapist Lionel Logue (Rush) on the recommendation of a friend.

“She said your antipodean methods were both unconventional and controversial. Those are two of my favourite words,” smiles Elizabeth, persuading Lionel to help her husband overcome his fears.

The King’s Speech is a crowd-pleasing, heart-tugging gem, seen through the eyes of a man who is frightened to say a word for fear of what might – or might not – come out.

The script elegantly dissects the relationship between monarch and commoner, creating memorable exchanges that provide the film with huge laughs and a strong emotional heartbeat.

Firth delivers the performance of his life, battling valiantly against his condition, while Rush is hysterical as the linguist who refuses any concessions to his king.

“My castle, my rules,” he maintains.

Their double-act is glorious, including an unforgettable barrage of expletives in the name of therapy.

“Do you know the f word?” asks Lionel.

“F...f...fornication?” replies Albert, nervously.

The finale is guaranteed to have audiences cheering and sobbing with joy.

If The King’s Speech is a sign of things to come in 2011, then it will be a very happy new year.