There is a moment toward the end of “The King’s Speech,” where King George VI of England (Colin Firth) can only sit and watch as his evil counterpart Adolf Hitler gives rise to the Nazi movement, chanting cries about national pride and dancing passionately on a stage with great fury.

It is at this moment that King George – real name Albert, or “Bertie” as his family calls him – seems outmatched and doomed to fail against his aggressors as the second World War looms.

Suffering from a stammering speech impediment for most of his life, Bertie is forced into becoming the King of England suddenly after his father’s death in the late 1930s.

Preparing for his brother’s abdication, Bertie engages an odd-ball speech therapist named Lionel Logue (an Oscar-worthy performance from Geoffrey Rush) to cure the speech problem that has hindered him as far back as he could remember.

The movie is most definitely an uplifting drama, but some of the best scenes come from when Bertie and Lionel share a few comedic moments, practicing some unorthodox techniques.

Through Lionel’s teaching, Bertie finds the voice he needs to become the nation’s leader, however he still suffers from a lack of confidence, believing that he will fail his nation as it faces its darkest hour.

The strength that he finds and the strength of the movie stems from the relationship he embarks on with Lionel, someone who is not more than a common man despite what Bertie insists on calling him.

With his leading counterpart gaining more and more momentum, building up to the inevitable war, Bertie has no other option but to make a stand and grab the microphone, so the nation can hear its leader’s roar.

As the king walks through the halls of his palace before delivering the declaration of war speech, Firth delivers his best work of his career, and he does so mostly without speaking.

Director Tom Hooper does a great job trekking Bertie, squeezing the nerves of the audience while building the amount of tension that is being placed on the king.

You can’t help cheering for Firth as he embodies the insecure king as he rallies a nation behind his strong, unwavering voice.

His friendship with Lionel makes him a worthy man. His commandeering tone makes him a worthy leader.

Firth and Rush make this movie worthy of the critical praise it has been garnishing. The value of their performances cannot be talked about enough. Some of the year’s best without a doubt.