'Darkest Hour' - incredible film. No Spoilers.
But seriously, if you know what the film is about, you already know the outcome.
Astonishingly good film. Calling it a two-hour episode of 'The Crown' would be largely accurate, but a gross oversimplification. It shares with 'The Crown' the idiosyncracy of always having a veil of pallid, misty light spilling into every window in the building.
Gary Oldman proves yet again what a gifted actor he is. Having studied Churchill for years, I can tell you that Oldman absolutely nails the role. Every tic, every mannerism is down perfect; even the angle at which Churchill allowed his cigar to dangle when he was lost in thought, and on the correct side of his mouth (the left).
Additional plaudits should go to the makeup artists who transformed the handsome Steven Dillane into the dull and unappealing Lord Halifax.
Ronald Pickup gives a heartbreaking portrayal as Neville Chamberlain. Chamberlain, with his policy of appeasement, is rarely spoken of with respect anymore. But here, desire to make peace with Hitler or not, one feels one's heart breaking for the tragic and doomed figure.
I have to offer applause to Ben Mendelssohn, an actor I had never heard of before, for his portrayal of 'Bertie', King George VI. We Americans know this underrated British King primarily through his portrayal by Colin Firth in The King's Speech, and by Jared Harris in 'The Crown'. Neither actor resembled King George in the slightest. But Mendelssohn bears an eerie resemblance to him. And he got the famous stammer down flawlessly.
Great film. Total Oscar bait, but great film anyway.
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