Light, fluffy feel-good confection that dramatizes the friendship (even ‘bromance?’) of a British king (Colin Firth) and his speech therapist (Geoffrey Rush). Well-scripted with spare comic touches, the movie shines when the two leads share the stage, and in examining the vestiges of still-class-conscious Britain – such as the prejudice of an overweening Archbishop of Canterbury against an un-Oxbridge educated commoner using new controversial techniques – from Australia no less!

However, when the movie tries to assert the continuing relevance of the British monarchy (e.g. that their giving speeches over the radio is a critical component to fighting WWII), or the conceit that merely facing the inconveniences that come with being born to the highest privileges (while fully enjoying the benefits) renders one a ‘great man’, it starts to ring hollow and self-important.

But if you’re willing to overlook these flaws, and if you’re in the mood for a frothy period peace brimming with British and Australian thesps in the same vein as The Queen (to which this movie is far superior) or Shakespeare in Love (which by the way the Weinsteins want to make a sequel to, would you believe it), then by all means go and see it!

(out of 5)