‘The King’s Speech’ has already won the People’s Choice Award at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival and is surely set to win many more.

Set from 1925-1939, Tom Hooper’s ‘The King’s Speech’ is the story of how a reluctant and introverted Albert (Colin Firth), known as Bertie by those dearest to him, rises to the challenge of assuming the throne ( as George VI) after his brother Edward VIII (Guy Pearce) abdicates in order to marry his already married and once divorced American beau, Wallis Simpson (Eve Best).

More than just a mainstream British pre-war period drama, ‘The King’s Speech’ delivers an entertaining and crowd-pleasing story based on the true friendship between King George VI and his unorthodox speech therapist Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush).  It’s a simple premise but by no means is it a simple film. ‘The King’s Speech’ delves into the stories of other characters too, such as of the debonair Edward VIII and the defiantly determined Queen Elizabeth II (played by Helena Bonham Carter).

Colin Firth gives an honest and warm performance as the Duke Of York whose stammer reduces him to a shadow of himself, exacerbated by his impatient father George V (Michael Gambon) and confident brother Edward VIII. We first witness the debilitating extent of Bertie’s stammer during an uncomfortable closing speech in Wembley at the film’s opening scene. After countless physicians have him trying out the strangest of methods, such as rolling marbles around in his mouth and smoking to “relax his throat”, his wife Elizabeth decides to take matters into her own hands enrolling the help of Australian speech therapist Lionel Logue.

Logue provides the historical drama with some heavily appreciated comedic banter, giving both Elizabeth and Bertie (as he insists on calling him) a run for their shillings by assertively declaring “my game, my turf, my rules”. It is when the unexpected burden of kingship is placed on Bertie, whose speech impediment is a constant cause of despair for him, that both Bertie’s perseverance and Logue’s determination are truly tested.

After receiving a standing ovation after the London Film Festival’s press screening, ‘The King’s Speech’ is sure to deliver and delight many more audiences. Regardless of your stand on the British Monarchy, the perfectly-cast and beautifully set ‘The King’s Speech’ will have you warming to Bertie in no time.