The King's Speech (2010)

Colin Firth was my choice for the Oscar last year, but lost out to Jeff Bridges. No matter -- he's got it sewn up this time around with the more showy role of the stammering Prince Albert, Duke of York.

The speech impediment, which has plagued him since childhood, is a particular embarrassment since he's pressed to speak publicly with more frequency as the king, his father, ages and his elder brother is away sowing copious wild oats. Firth does an amazing job garnering sympathy with his panic-stricken eyes and then slapping down that pity with his undeniable royalty. This is a man with a problem, but he's no commoner. His new therapist, however, demands a more familiar relationship -- another hurdle for the irritable Albert.

I do have one question...if the "headphone" anecdote is true, why the heck didn't he simply wear them every time he was to record a royal speech?

A-