World War II was a time in our history that is ripe with storytelling material storytelling. The Darkest Hour, directed by Ridley Scott, is a rich and complex story that looks at only a small time segment of the greater story of the period, or the complexity of even the events portrayed. Winston Churchill (played by Gary Oldman) was made Prime Minster of England at the time Nazi Germany had initiated their Blitzkrieg across Europe, giving the movie its title.The scope of the movie is focused.
The Darkest Hour is the story of Churchill from the day before his appointment to the day operation Dynamo took place to rescue England’s troops at Dunkirk. I will say straight out this movie had more impact on me because I saw the movie Dunkirk (review here) and the timing of the two stories brings the peril of the situation to greater heights. I recommend seeing both of them.
There was more happening than just the war. The political intrigue taking place in parliament is well represented. There are also the relationships outside the political arena. We are given Churchill’s story in a manner that is raw and refined. But, again, we’re focused on what is happening to and around Churchill.
Anthony McCarten wrote a compelling story that draws the audience in quickly. This is a story of intrigue and personalities. Don’t expect to see an action war movie. But, instead, a deeper representation of what the war was doing to the people who were not on the battlefronts, but plotting the battles.
We are also given a glimpse of the people in London, and in France. With the high overview given, which was used to great symbolic effect, there are scenes showing how the struggles of the times were being dealt with by the commoners along with the politicians. And how the decisions interacted.
The cast of the supporting roles was superb. The actors fit the role they were cast in. Each showed their own strengths and weaknesses without portraying them as “bad” people. Instead they were shown as people who had their motives to accomplish what was right according to their understanding.
Two strong supporting roles were the two women who were the closest to Churchill during this period of time. Kristen Scott Thomas as Churchill’s wife, Clementine (Clemmie), has some powerful scenes showing the emotional burdens that she was going through with few words. Lily James portraying Churchill’s secretary, Elizabeth Layton, is able to also give us insights into the lead character along with the bridge to the common people caught up in the struggle.
There has been a lot already said about the acting and the makeup in The Darkest Hour. Seeing it on the screen was a real treat. Gary Oldman as Winston Churchill gave one of the best performances I have seen. If he doesn’t receive a nod to a number of different awards I will be surprised and saddened. His requirement of having Kazuhiro Tsuji as his makeup artist was a sign of knowing who should be where at what time. Oldman becomes Churchill in full, not only in acting, but in physical representation. The rest of the movie, cast and settings, all looked like they were right out of the 1940s. I was also struck by the near claustrophobic conditions of the war rooms underneath #10 Downing Street.
Overall
The Darkest Houris a powerful movie about the events near the start of World War II. It is concise on its scope to provide depth without getting lost in the larger story of the time.
The production, from writing, casting, acting, directing, and editing, come together in an event worth watching.
I give The Darkest Hour 4 out of 5.
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