Review: Darkest Hour Is All Oldman
- Jan 11, 2018
- 2 min read
Winston Churchill is one of, if not the most, recognizable British leaders in both reality and with the world of film. Everyone from Brian Cox and Michael Gambon To Brendan Gleeson and John Lithgow have thrown their hat, or cigar as it were, into the ring. But it's Goldman's show now, and what a show it is.
Adolf Hitler's armies have swept across Europe. Less than a year since Poland fell, the Nazi war machine is on the verge of crushing France. Britain, or at least the Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain (Ronald Pickup) vies for peace. But the people do not want peace. Enter Winston Churchill (Gary Oldman), a man disliked by much of the government, but the one they believe can bring some order to the chaos. But Churchill does not want peace, he does not want treaties with tyrants. He wants victory, whatever the cost.
Darkest Hour is rousing at it best, and inspirational at its worst. As the tale of Churchill's first month in office unfolds it, somehow, feels like an underdog story, despite the fact that out first introduction to the man is him having his breakfast made by someone he employs. And yet, we are given the distinct feeling that everyone, if not everything, is against him. His cabinet hates him, the king, played surprisingly well by Ben Mendelsohn, fears what he could do, and he even starts to doubt himself. But, through sheer force of will, he prevails, and it's excellently done.
It is of course Gary Oldman's riveting performance that bring the character to life. Near unrecognizable beneath layers of makeup, Oldman delivers on every line. Whether a quiet moment with his wife, shouting down his doubters or delivering rousing speeches, the nails every part of it. And yes, when he talks about fighting on the beaches, you'll get chills. Someone give the man an oscar already, he's earned it hear. With visuals that look Renaissance-esque, and some fine directing, it's a finely crafted film. But it falls to its lead to carry it through, and carry it through he does.
So begone I say. For what do you wait. Darkest Hour is showing in cinemas now, and you should be watching it.
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