Anthony's Film Review - Darkest Hour (2017)

The political drama is riveting, but it's Gary Oldman's performance that really shines...

If you browse through various sources chronicling the history of World War II, you will find many figures to admire as heroes. If you are on the side of the Allies, one leader certainly stands out as being pivotal to victory: British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. This is a name that should come to mind when you think of the evacuation of troops from Dunkirk or the D-Day invasion at Normandy. There is plenty of fascinating history here that it's no surprise that a drama film based on real-life events has been made. Darkest Hour portrays the persona of Churchill as he succeeds Neville Chamberlain as Prime Minister. Gary Oldman plays Churchill wonderfully and is the main reason, though not the only reason, this drama film is memorable.

When we first see Churchill in this movie, we don't see a leader. Rather, we see an ordinary yet somewhat quirky old man. He is having breakfast in bed just like anyone his age might. He is also demanding to his secretary, Elizabeth Layton (played by Lily James) when she transcribes his dictations, especially when he unexpectedly stops mid-dictation to change certain words in his message. It is this man who will replace British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, who is criticized for poor wartime leadership. However, a big reason Churchill is chosen is because of his ability to appeal to the two major political parties in Parliament. There is still doubt about Churchill's ability to lead given his questionable judgment.

That doesn't mean he is an incompetent Prime Minister. Although we can still see his usual personality like in the beginning of the movie, we also see another trait that can serve well in a position of authority: a willingness to speak candidly without worrying about what others think. This is especially evident with the conflict that occupies much of this political drama: whether to stop the Nazis with military force, as Churchill wants, or with negotiations, as certain dissenters like Chamberlain want. Basically, give yourself time to watch Churchill in this film, and you will eventually accept him as a leader. As his wife (played by Kristen Scott Thomas) suggests to him in one scene, his imperfections and doubts are what actually make him strong.

As a political drama, Darkest Hour has very few scenes depicting warfare. Much of the film takes place in various government rooms requiring top-level security clearance, as if we're given an inside look at Churchill's work up close. The dialogue between Churchill and government officials, such as the members of the War Cabinet, is riveting and lets us see how challenging it must've been to tackle the issue of how to deal with the Nazis conquering Europe and the evacuation of British troops from Dunkirk in France. This film does live up to the expectation of bringing history to life.

Still, the hallmark of Darkest Hour is really Gary Oldman portraying Winston Churchill. Thanks to the makeup and costume teams, Oldman is made to look older and fatter than himself in real life, such that the only sign of the actor is the face, and even that is partially unrecognizable. And with speech patterns mirroring that of the real-life Churchill, Oldman truly sinks into the role and embody this historical figure. If you want to watch a great performance from Oldman, you don't want to miss this one. It is no doubt a highlight in the actor's career.

With good drama and solid acting, Darkest Hour is a fine and well-crafted film. You will find something to love whether you are interested in history, politics, or just good performance art.

Anthony's Rating:

For more information about Darkest Hour, visit the Internet Movie Database.