A Period in Uncertainty

Rating: 8/10 (25 March 2018)

Churchill's predecessor, Neville Chamberlain, resigns in May 1940 because the House of Commons loses confidence in him. Winston Churchill replaces him as prime minister and promises to never surrender to Adolf Hitler. But he's isolated, and virtually no one in the House of Commons supports his position on British resistance. Additionally, British troops are marooned on Dunkirk and Calais. Can he overcome this impending doom and persuade the House of Commons to support his decision?
The production design is authentic (and claustrophobic), but superior. Cinematography is beneficial (that over-head tracking shot of France (?) being bombed then revealing a dead soldier fascinates me). The supporting cast gives serviceable performances from Ben Mendelsohn as King George VI to Lily James as the loyal secretary. But, of course, the real strength is Gary Oldman's tour-de-force portray of Winston Churchill. He's determined to refuse peace negotiations with Adolf Hitler, but susceptible out of fear because he doesn't want to make mistakes. The scenes where Churchill orates over the radio and the House of Commons really shine.
But, unfortunately, the scenes before these powerful speeches appear forced and unnatural, such as the scene with Churchill and the train full of passengers or when Churchill's wife (Kristin Scott Thomas) comforts him. These scenes don't feel authentic or raw, their manufactured to keep the narrative going for Churchill to fulfill his desire. Also, the director Joe Wright and screenwriter Anthony McCarten cram so much talking in this film that the movie becomes a discourse on dialogue. Other than that, the Darkest Hour is a satisfying historical drama with an Oscar winning performance from Gary Oldman.