You might not know it (though your grandparents likely do), but there was a moment not that long ago where we almost lost democratic civilization. The absolute last hope to stave-off Nazi Germany was surrounded in a near hopeless corner, and had things gone just a little bit differently - had there been any lesser a degree of determination - of inspiration - all of Europe would have become the equivalent of the evil galactic Empire.
Joe Wright's utterly remarkable historical biopic of Winston Churchill's involvement at the fulcrum of history comes at a very interesting time. Just last summer we were spellbound by Christopher Nolan's Dunkirk, and Netflix viewers have been held in rapt fascination by another take on these events in The Crown (which you should immediately binge-watch if you haven't already). So for some, this period of British history may seem familiar, but Joe Wright and screenwriter Anthony McCarten (The Theory of Everything) make it seem immediate, gripping and unpredictable.
Director Wright has spent time on the beach at Dunkirk before, as evidenced by the staggering five-minute tracking shot in his 2007 film Atonement. In Darkest Hour, we're seeing the forces that shaped the destinies of those at Dunkirk - the politicians and the generals, all of whom felt that it was likely only a matter of time before SS Storm-troopers were kicking in the door at Number 10 Downing Street. Grim doesn't begin to cover it.
Of course, Darkest Hour is anchored by the colossal central performance of Gary Oldman as Winston Churchill. It's utterly fascinating to watch The Crown, where John Lithgow delivered an equally superb interpretation of the Prime Minister, and compare it to Oldman's work here. It's like seeing two master craftsmen's different takes on Hamlet or Lear. Each one is unique and fresh apart from the other, and both are simply hypnotic. Oldman is completely immersed in the character. His voice, his physicality - it's utterly remarkable. He's also abetted by what's likely to be considered the greatest prosthetic makeup work since the legendary Dick Smith, crafted by Kazuhiro Tsuji. Together, they create a truly unique and compellingly alive Churchill that will stand as one of the greatest historical depictions in modern cinema. Churchill is a flawed man, but more than that, he's willing to do what others simply don't have the spine for. He's not afraid to speak, and he's not afraid to be unliked.
Much of Churchill's power comes from his speechcraft, and Lily James (Cinderella) shines as his dedicated and beleaguered transcriber. The supporting cast is full of luminaries, including Kristin Scott Thomas (The English Patient), Ben Mendelsohn (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story) as King George IV, and Stephen Dillane (Game of Thrones' Stannis Baratheon).
But Darkest Hour is all Oldman, all the time. It's such a simultaneously fierce and intimate performance - after a lifetime of showstoppers, it's wonderful to see Oldman being acknowledged for work that shows such range - an actor at the peak of his powers. He's just unforgettable here. A scene that finds Churchill trying to learn the will of the common Londoner had me nearly falling apart. Beautiful work by all involved. Special mention to cinematographer Bruno Delbonnel (Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Amélie) for truly remarkable lighting amongst the hallowed corridors of power, that seems to take the iconic photography of the era and make it bloom in three dimensions. It's painterly work.
As outright dread looms ever-closer, Churchill faces a choice of negotiating "peace" with "Herr Hitler," or fighting on against impossible odds. Astonishing as it may seem, the stubbornness and will of one man, may have been the spark of inspiration that helped Europe find a way to change the dire course of history. As we look out into our own modern horizons, we can only hope there are still people like Churchill out there, who can recognize what's right and inspire others to push back. We're fortunate indeed to have artists like Gary Oldman and Joe Wright, to rouse audiences and kindle the lessons of history in new generations, who we hope won't have to endure such dark times.
Joe Wright's utterly remarkable historical biopic of Winston Churchill's involvement at the fulcrum of history comes at a very interesting time. Just last summer we were spellbound by Christopher Nolan's Dunkirk, and Netflix viewers have been held in rapt fascination by another take on these events in The Crown (which you should immediately binge-watch if you haven't already). So for some, this period of British history may seem familiar, but Joe Wright and screenwriter Anthony McCarten (The Theory of Everything) make it seem immediate, gripping and unpredictable.
Director Wright has spent time on the beach at Dunkirk before, as evidenced by the staggering five-minute tracking shot in his 2007 film Atonement. In Darkest Hour, we're seeing the forces that shaped the destinies of those at Dunkirk - the politicians and the generals, all of whom felt that it was likely only a matter of time before SS Storm-troopers were kicking in the door at Number 10 Downing Street. Grim doesn't begin to cover it.
Of course, Darkest Hour is anchored by the colossal central performance of Gary Oldman as Winston Churchill. It's utterly fascinating to watch The Crown, where John Lithgow delivered an equally superb interpretation of the Prime Minister, and compare it to Oldman's work here. It's like seeing two master craftsmen's different takes on Hamlet or Lear. Each one is unique and fresh apart from the other, and both are simply hypnotic. Oldman is completely immersed in the character. His voice, his physicality - it's utterly remarkable. He's also abetted by what's likely to be considered the greatest prosthetic makeup work since the legendary Dick Smith, crafted by Kazuhiro Tsuji. Together, they create a truly unique and compellingly alive Churchill that will stand as one of the greatest historical depictions in modern cinema. Churchill is a flawed man, but more than that, he's willing to do what others simply don't have the spine for. He's not afraid to speak, and he's not afraid to be unliked.
Much of Churchill's power comes from his speechcraft, and Lily James (Cinderella) shines as his dedicated and beleaguered transcriber. The supporting cast is full of luminaries, including Kristin Scott Thomas (The English Patient), Ben Mendelsohn (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story) as King George IV, and Stephen Dillane (Game of Thrones' Stannis Baratheon).
But Darkest Hour is all Oldman, all the time. It's such a simultaneously fierce and intimate performance - after a lifetime of showstoppers, it's wonderful to see Oldman being acknowledged for work that shows such range - an actor at the peak of his powers. He's just unforgettable here. A scene that finds Churchill trying to learn the will of the common Londoner had me nearly falling apart. Beautiful work by all involved. Special mention to cinematographer Bruno Delbonnel (Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Amélie) for truly remarkable lighting amongst the hallowed corridors of power, that seems to take the iconic photography of the era and make it bloom in three dimensions. It's painterly work.
As outright dread looms ever-closer, Churchill faces a choice of negotiating "peace" with "Herr Hitler," or fighting on against impossible odds. Astonishing as it may seem, the stubbornness and will of one man, may have been the spark of inspiration that helped Europe find a way to change the dire course of history. As we look out into our own modern horizons, we can only hope there are still people like Churchill out there, who can recognize what's right and inspire others to push back. We're fortunate indeed to have artists like Gary Oldman and Joe Wright, to rouse audiences and kindle the lessons of history in new generations, who we hope won't have to endure such dark times.
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