Darkest Hour

On the one hand, Darkest Hour is primarily a one-actor film, and Gary Oldman proves his mastery here. On the other hand, it's also a film about a time that was very unpleasant, but in which people still lived and wanted to live, and it can even be presented in a funny way. Churchill was a strong personality and deserved a film like this. (28/01/2018)

A great comedy about obesity and a wonderful drama about the fact that sometimes it is necessary to change perspective so that even the most stubborn person can believe his own convictions. For the first time, Wright's calligraphy doesn't seem to be an extra aspect to me. The brutally cut scene with a phone call when someone is on the toilet is one of its highlights. The amazing Mendelsohn and Oldman. The screenplay is very thesis-based, but somehow it has punch even in weaker moments. Wright mobilizes film language and tells perhaps a simple, but impressive message of an unwavering spirit. (13/03/2020)

An engineering film, perhaps for the target audience of naive naturalised university students who feel that a degree is the holy grail and the key to good results. In a figurative sense, this is the same Joe Wright, director of the 11-year-old and brilliantly polished Atonement. He tries to make every scene formally, aesthetically and dialogically perfect so that the charge, juice and density of the story actually slips through his fingers like a knife through butter with nonchalant elegance. But the ending is way off the mark. If it is supposed to be Oscar bait, it was not very successful. If the film worked as a mere vehicle to highlight Gary Oldman's makeup and acting, then OK. (28/02/2018)

It is an exemplary Oscar drama. If only the film screened in any different time, but it has to appear at the beginning of January, the typical date for the release of Oscar movies. It doesn’t get more obvious than this. And of course, Gary Oldman is awesome in it. It is even more fascinating if you have seen him in films like Lost in Space, which is over twenty years old, and then you see him play the role of Winston Churchill. Of course, it looked like Churchill was played by Churchill himself. That traditionally stands out over everything else in the movie, which always happens with films like this. (31/01/2018)

A more intimate portrayal of the life of this well-known historical figure, focusing primarily on Churchill's most challenging political period, when every wrong decision could lead to disaster. It’s almost like a theatrical performance, with everything running as smoothly as a Swiss watch, and there are perfect dialogue situations where Oldman truly shines. He must have gone through intense preparation; it was certainly no easy task, but it’s evident he gave everything to his role. His precise movements, facial expressions, and clever verbal nuances made Churchill reign supreme, and Oldman managed to mimic him flawlessly. At times, one almost believed that Churchill himself was present. I completely understand why the Academy Award went to Oldman; it’s one of the top performances in recent times. The casting of supporting roles was also well-considered, with Stephen Dillane being unparalleled and Ben Mendelsohn as the British king also convincing. Don’t expect action scenes here; it’s simply a biographical journey through the life of this remarkable man, who managed to win over citizens with his actions and conduct. The film also offers emotionally charged scenes accompanied by a subtler yet very fitting soundtrack. I give it 84%. (02/06/2018)