In"Darkest Hour," screenwriter Anthony McCarten's story takes place over a short couple of weeks - from right before Winston Churchill is installed as prime minister to his first major political and wartime victory, the evacuation of 300,000 troops from Dunkirk. It's a short amount of time to get to know him, but with Gary Oldman's performance, by the end we know him very well. He's a day drinker, a heavy smoker, a captivating orator. He's unpredictable, often scaring people, but he's principled and passionate and can hold his own in his war cabinet meetings. There's an especially inspiring and emotional scene, when he finally shakes loose the shackles of a politician and speaks to some of the real people on the London Underground. It's clear to see he is compassionate and motivated to serve all people.
Oldman is aided by remarkably realistic makeup. (Woody Harrelson's makeup in LBJ was so distracting that I had trouble following the dialogue.) But Oldman's physicality (the way he walks, moves his hands, holds a cigar) and the way he speaks, brings Churchill to life. He is so immersed in the role that the actor disappears. The supporting cast is strong, including Lily James as Churchill's personal secretary, Elizabeth Layton; Kristin Scott Thomas as his wife, Clementine; Ronald Pickup as Neville 'Appeasement' Chamberlain; Ben Mendelssohn as the stuttering King George VI; Stephen Dilate as Viscount Halifax, the man waiting to step in when Churchill fails. Although "Darkest Hour" features no war scenes, there are battles as the House of Commons pushes for peace talks with Hitler. But Churchill knows that would be a mistake and his greatest weapon is his oratorical skills, which he deploys on more than one occasion. Director Joe Wright gives us a portrait that's rich with details and reveals how close the world came to disaster even before the blitz began. However, the movie is overshadowed by Oldman's performance. And that's why you must see this movie.
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