This is my first movie review, and what a movie to start on. This is a movie set when the allies are losing the war; the french are being pushed back and many other countries have capitulated to the Blitzkrieg, which caused the speed of the german invasion across europe. But if you are looking for a classic war movie this isn't one, there is you could argue a war of words and politics but not one of violence.
This movie follows Churchill's rise to Prime Minister, which told in the story is more forced upon him due to the poisoned chalice that people within his own party perceive it as. It also shows his struggles and the people who tried to oust him from leadership, the people who didn't believe in him, and also how he managed to save the allies any hope of winning the war with the rescue at dunkirk.
For me this movie was an eye opener, because although germany took europe, I didn't realise how close we were to losing the war, if all those troops had been lost so would we, if Churchill had succumbed to the pressure from what seemed like everyone in parliament and make a deal with the nazis. It took amazing courage and confidence to put everyone else's cries behind you and continue with what you think is right. This movie tells a story of the war just as well or better as any normal war movie, the feelings of fear tension all come through in this movie. And the way Gary Oldman presents Churchill makes you believe that it's Winston Churchill, his makeup is exceptional, his way of speaking is perfection and every single mannerisms are mastered. I haven't seen a non fiction character been so well recreated in the way it is in this movie.
Even the parts which are not particularly intense pieces manage to show aspects of Churchill I didn't expect and there are places which play off humour very well. This isn't a dark, gloomy downbeat movie about WW2, it is a realistic representation of a man who has been put in probably the most important and pressurised environment in the world at the time. So there are highs and lows throughout the movie, based on events like dunkirk which is a big draining feature for churchill throughout.
Even though the movie is centered around Churchill, the way other characters react with each other is something special, the fear shown in the first scene by his secretary, Elizabeth Layton (played by Lily James)presents a man that can be scary , rude and a very unorthodox politician. However as their relationship grows you can see how he uses her advice and respects her opinion.
Another interesting relationship is those of the king (played by Ben Mendelsohn) the relationship changes dramatically throughout, probably the most out of all the characters. Firstly the king when visited by Neville chamberlain (played by Ronald Pickup) is completely against the idea and expected/ wants Halifax as Prime Minister, but towards the end of the movie he is the one who saves a tired and depressed Winston Churchill.
Overall this movie has exceptional acting, incredible storytelling and has the ability to pull your emotions in every way possible. I highly suggest you go and watch this movie, either at the cinema or wait till its out. But it's one of those movies that you just have to watch, and for a history fan like myself it gives you so much information in a way that documentaries cannot.
If you’ve watched this movie and got any additions, and if you feel this is a good review or have any criticisms, please comment.
Thanks very much for reading, KPH