Darkest Hour
Starring: Gary Oldman, Lily James, Ben Mendelson, Kristen-Scott Thomas
Directed by: Joe Wright
Rated: PG-13
Dunkirk seems to be the major movie focus of 2017. From Their Finest to Dunkirk to Darkest Hour, British filmmakers are making sure to give us a history lesson on the event this year!
Darkest Hourtakes place in May 1940 as Neville Chamberlain is forced to resign from Parliament. With some controversy, Winston Churchill is named as his successor as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Tensions rise between Churchill and the cabinet as the war rages on. As British troops are trapped in Dunkirk by the Nazi's, Churchill argues they should keep fighting while the cabinet believes a peace treaty should be signed. Although most of the government was against him, Churchill did his best to keep the nation out of Hitler's control.
The first act of Darkest Hour is very slow. It takes awhile for the movie to find its footing. The pace begins to pick up in the second act once Churchill becomes Prime Minister and faces scrutiny from his war cabinet. Joe Wright is clearly in his element with Darkest Hour as he returns to fine directing form after the unfortunate box office flop that was Pan. It's clear that period dramas are his forte. (Take Atonement, Pride and Prejudice, and Anna Karenina as examples.) Wright opts to explore what went on behind-the-scenes of Churchill's life as well as in the war room. He does so with his signature visual flair. There are several visual cues inDarkest Hour that are flat out stunning.
It actually took me a little time to get used to Gary Oldman as Winston Churchill. During the first act of the movie, his portrayal felt a little cartoonish. As the film progressed, I forgot I was watching an actor playing a role. Anytime Oldman gives a speech as the Prime Minister, it is incredibly convincing. Churchill comes across as tough and intense, but behind-the-scenes the stress takes a huge toll on him. It's clear why. He was brought into a position of immense power when a nation was in crisis. Oldman conveys the moments of intensity and the moments of vulnerability. There is one particular moment on a train that is the stand out of the film.
Lily James plays Churchill's secretary Elizabeth Layton. Elizabeth and Churchill are polar opposites, while she is shy and apprehensive, he is loud and confident. Yet the two share a close working relationship. Elizabeth gives a face to the war surrounding Europe that encourages Churchill to keep fighting and not give in to his war cabinet.
Kristen Scott Thomas plays Clementine, Churchill's supportive wife. The film details how she has to forgo many aspects of a personal relationship with her husband because the public demands so much from him. Yet, she is always there to encourage him when he needs her. Kristen Scott Thomas is excellent in the small amount of screen time she gets in the film.
Darkest Hour drags at a snails pace through its first act. However, the rest of the film is worth seeing for strong acting performances and cinematography.
My Rating: 7/10