Last year Colin Firth lost in an arguable but overall legitimate decision to Jeff Bridges. This year it would seem the tables may have turned. Bridges is likely to miss out on a nomination this year so we can forget the whole rematch headlines, but it still leaves Firth up against some breathtaking performances. So, does his performance in The King’s Speech hold enough swagger to woo the Academy?

While I can only give my opinion on the aforementioned question I posed, I can lay out some facts about this little giant that will hopefully help you form your own, but first, here’s what we’re working with.

King George VI (Colin Firth) was not always a king. In fact, when the film opens, he is merely the Duke of York. His father King George V (Michael Gambon) is on his way out, and its clear his brother Edward (Guy Pearce) is next in line for the throne. As we all know, behind most great men is a great woman. Unfortunately, behind Edward is a twice divorced, money-grubbing, attention-seeking, and from the implications in the film, whore of a woman. This causes King Edward VIII’s reign over pre World War II England to be short and not very sweet.

With Edward’s departure and his lack of a child, guess who’s next in line? If you’re actually thinking about the answer than maybe you really should see this film — and possibly plan a trip to your local library. Known to his family as Bertie, King George VI is now “Your Royal Highness,” but there’s one problem. While he may not have always been the King, he has always suffered from a crippling stutter. Considering most of the King’s job entails reassuring the public through the newly invented radio, this becomes an ever higher hurdle in his path. With the help of failed actor, exceptional family man and exquisite speech coach Lionel Logue (Geoffery Rush), the King finally accomplishes what we all take for granted and delivers his first of many wartime speeches.

Working off of what I said before, behind every great film, is a great director. Maybe I should say behind every pretty good film, is a really good director, but that doesn’t quite roll off the tongue with any elegance. Tom Hooper may not yet be a great director, but he certainly displayed some of his talent in The King’s Speech. The beauty of the directing here is that almost every scene takes place in a long, tall room filled with a lot of empty space. That sounds boring written down but it’s honestly not on screen. There’s only a few scenes that take place outdoors, and when it does, it’s not quite a breath of fresh air, it only leaves us wanting to go back inside.

Remember when I said I was going to give you my opinion on whether or not Colin Firth is going to win the Oscar? Well this is it. Yes. He definitely, maybe, probably most likely will. Even with Ryan Gosling’s endearing yet heartbreaking performance in Blue Valentine, its hard to imagine Firth not winning. He was so convincing, when I see him on television I now expect him to stutter. He took a little while to bloom, but Mr. Firth did just that in a very big way.

Shedding her gothic attire and second-hand stink acquired from Tim Burton, Helena Bonham Carter is very delightful and enjoyable to watch. Even though Firth is the headline performance here, my favorite performance was Geoffery Rush’s Lionel Logue. He is smart, funny, confident, caring and honorable. Another late bloomer in his own right, Rush should be considered a very strong consideration for supporting actor.

The King’s Speech is not the best film of the year, or even in our top ten. What it does have is sound directing and writing and great acting. Sometimes it’s not about the film as much as it’s about what’s within the film. Within this film is a few of the best performances of the year and these are performances worthy of being seen.