Everyone I’ve seen talking about this has said what a good film it is, yet it’s not the kind of story you’d imagine would attract a mass audience.

It’s a slice of life – a snippet from the lift of King George VI – the current Queen’s king, who found himself lumbered with ruling and responsibility after his brother, Edward VIII, gave up the throne to live with Wallace Simpson.

That would have been all fine and well, except that he had never wanted to be king.

He suffered from a nervous stammer which would have to be managed if he was to address the public, as the public expected. This film is the story of his developing relationship with speech therapist Lionel Logue.

It’s brilliantly done, with their fractious, bumpy relationship slowly mellowing and eventually becoming a life-long friendship as the king finally admits that the man’s unconventional methods are doing him some good.

I’m not giving away anything in revealing that it leads up to the outbreak of the Second World War, and the country’s expectation that the king should address them, to give them support and guidance as hostilities broke out.

They’re already talking about Colin Firth winning awards for his performance and it’s hard to disagree. His inability to get out his words it utterly convincing, but it is that hard-won friendship that really makes the film.

The king can barely speak without Logan’s support, yet Logan can’t speak for him. The two co-exist, and together bring the country together, yet only one got the credit for this extraordinary leadership.

Flawless performances all round and a heartwarming story make for highly recommended viewing.