Darkest Hour Movie Review (2017)

An electrifying World War II drama focused on Winston Churchill’s first weeks as Prime Minister, Darkest Hour is elevated by exceptional performances and grand, atmospheric cinematography.

There have been dozens of films made about World War II from many different perspectives. Whether it’s The Pianist, Hacksaw Ridge, or The Imitation Game, there are so many stories to be told and I’m grateful that filmmakers keep going back to them. It was an important time in history, and there is always more to be learned.

Darkest Hour is about Winston Churchill, a newly appointed Prime Minister who has taken office much to the concern of various Parliament members. It is 1940, and, with the last Prime Minister wavering in the face of the Nazis, Churchill must decide whether to fight or negotiate – a decision that will affect Western Europe as well as the outcome of the war.

There are two performances that leapt off the screen at me, and they are those of Gary Oldman as Winston Churchill and Ben Mendelsohn as King George VI. Gary Oldman received award after award for this role (including the Oscar) in which he was fully enveloped by Churchill’s physicality, voice, and presence. He is superb as the commanding Prime Minister who is also unsure and insecure, with few other than his wife to lean on.

Mendelsohn, who I couldn’t wait to see more of, held a different energy as the understated royal – serious, contemplative, and magnetic. The scenes featuring the two men are among my favorites.

With such a serious subject, one would expect a somber mood, but that isn’t typically the case in Darkest Hour. The score hovers between upbeat and tense, but it never allows you to feel too low. You are musically inspired to keep going on the journey with Churchill with a “keep believing” attitude.

The cinematography is breathtaking, with gorgeously shadowed scenes where people or objects are balanced on either side of the screen, with a highlight in the middle, or cameras that rise from the ground, so you suddenly watch from above. The camera angles almost always make you feel centered and grounded, such that in the few moments where everything appears to scatter, it is hugely impactful.

Darkest Hour is a very likable film, despite the subject matter. The first half is a bit slower, as they lay the groundwork for how people feel about Churchill and everything happening around him, but once you hit the middle of the movie, there is a distinct upward trajectory of excitement. As he struggles to figure out what to do, you are interested, but when the stakes get higher, the pressure mounts, and he eventually meets with normal people to get their opinions, I felt my engagement and interest pique higher. It’s very well done. I recommend it.

Runtime: 125 minutes

Motion Picture Rating: PG-13

Languages Spoken In The Film: English

Should You Watch It? Yes

Did I Cry? Nope

My Rating: 3.5/5 Stars

Available: Free on Netflix, to rent on Prime Video, or may be available for free on other streaming platforms