What would this list be without the Best Picture-winning The King's Speech? Colin Firth stars as King George VI, who consults with speech therapist Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush) to try and overcome a crippling stammer in time for him to conduct a wartime radio speech regarding Britain's 1939 declaration of war on Germany. Though it's a simple story and easy to see where it's going, it's shot through with so much gusto by everyone involved that it's difficult not to root for George anyway. Firth is on a total charm offensive here, conceding the less-savoury aspects of his subject's personality but ultimately becoming a likeable, inspiration figure by the time that marvelous speech sequence comes around. Geoffrey Rush didn't win an Academy Award (unlike Firth), though certainly should have for his vibrant, often hilarious performance as George's therapist and later, his friend. Helena Bonham Carter is also in sound form as Queen Elizabeth, in a role seemingly tailor-made for her talents.