Darkest Hour (2017) [Movie Review]

Dir: Joe Wright
Starring: Gary Oldman,
Dur: 2 hrs 5 mins
Genre: War Drama
Rating: 8/10

It not very often that you come across a thrilling historical drama. The team that worked on this project gave it their all to produce perhaps the best drama film of the year. The film received numerous accolades and was chosen as the Best Film by Critics. The film has a poignant character and weighs heavy with the tension of World War II. It basically chronicles Britain’s political leaders struggle to grapple with the degrading situation brought on by Nazi Germany and the World War. It begins with the ousting of PM, Neville Chamberlain and the handing over of the reins to Winston Churchill.

Make no mistake, Churchill is hailed as one of the greatest PM of all time but the film tries to stay true to the facts, which basically consists of he not being a very popular person especially in the upper echelons of British government. The film is centred around the character of Churchill, and documents his struggle to lead a nation over impending disaster, destruction and wanton violence. He was a great speaker but his great speeches don’t make the cut. Instead we are given a few of his speeches; the ones perhaps that caused the most unrest and controversy. No effort is made to paint Churchill as a hero. What he was is left entirely up to the viewers decision. Even the fact that he was defeated in elections soon after the war is revealed albeit in a pre credit frame.

The acting is brilliant; the drama tense and the whole plot tightly wound around the drama that was the British response to Nazi Germany’s decimating attacks. The film deserves every award it received and is a must watch for history and drama lovers. If you’ve watched Dunkirk than you will be in a better position to understand the tension that is played out in the latter part of the film. The film works vice versa for Dunkirk. Don’t let the summer go by without watching this fantastic thriller.

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