Great lead performance by Oldman

Rating: 7/10 (1 March 2018)

"Darkest Hour" is all about Churchill's role in guiding his country through this very perilous time. Joe Wright's film lionizes him to a great extent, although some of the great man's vulnerabilities (self-doubt, fear) and shortcomings (temper, bullheadedness, tendency to flash his secretary) are shown without varnish. I felt that the best thing about this film was Oldman's performance, and as usual, he dives deeply into the character's speech and mannerisms with perfection. Not so easy when you consider how many screen portrayals of Churchill there have been, including several in just the last decade.
The rest of the movie is a bit predictable in its portrayal of these well-known events, but enjoyable enough. Of the supporting cast performances, I thought Kristin Scott Thomas did a great job as Clementine Churchill, capturing her strength, razor wit and look very well, and Ben Mendelsohn as King George VI. Stephen Dillane as Viscount Halifax was just fine, although I am weary of seeing Dillane scowl and glower through so many parts. Lily James plays Churchill's loyal stenographer, and provides a sweet, gentle foil to the thunderous orator in their scenes together. But she seems very much the same as she's been in other roles.
If you are interested in Churchill or WW2 history, you may enjoy "Darkest Hour" very much, especially if you remember that time period (like my dad, who said he just loved this movie). It lacks dramatic action and tension to be a truly great movie, though.