A Powerful Performance by Oldman, Given the Stage to Itself

Rating: 7/10 (2 February 2018)

Against the backdrop of the second world war, with mainland Britain on the brink of a Nazi invasion, Winston Churchill is appointed prime minister amidst almost universal reluctance. Determinedly anti-capitulation, he's swimming against the stream from day one with an embarrassed, vengeful political faction in his war ministry and a wary, unconvinced king watching his every move. The entire weight of this film rests on the strength of its central performance, as one might argue any biopic should, and Gary Oldman, once again, proves up to the task. His take on Churchill is transformative and enveloping. He lives the role, becoming this historical giant through wardrobe and makeup, but also speech, posture and subtle mannerism. The power of his convictions on full display, we can almost see each sharp, momentous proclamation form upon his quivering lips before it's barked out into the air. In fact, that formulation is a crucial piece of the story: as his speeches and opinions develop, we see them change shape, wording and direction, progressing through various rough drafts to a tight, powerful, focused final product. The plot tends to slow down at points, and not every supporting character deserves the scrutiny they receive, but as mere decoration for the one man show, those flaws can be somewhat overlooked. Overall, it's a very well-constructed, finely focused narrative that gives the audience a sweeping glimpse of the man himself, both guarded before the sting of his political enemies and vulnerable in the friendlier confines of his home or office. Interesting to pair this with Dunkirk, a fellow Best Picture nominee, as the two explore the same military event from very different perspectives.