a human portrait

Rating: 8/10 (18 February 2018)

It's the early days of WWII. The Germans are on the march and the Allies are retreating. Winston Churchill (Gary Oldman) is not yet Prime Minister but is in line for the job. Clemmie (Kristin Scott Thomas) is his long-suffering supportive wife. Elizabeth Layton (Lily James) is his new secretary. He faces uncertainty from King George VI (Ben Mendelsohn) and dying Neville Chamberlain (Ronald Pickup) while Viscount Halifax (Stephen Dillane ) pushes for peace negotiations.
This is a compelling historical character-study drama. The most intriguing aspect is that it depicts Churchill as a man slowly overwhelmed by the failing campaign and even considers a peace with Hitler. In many ways, it is a more human portrait and a much more dramatic character study. Historical accuracy is a little questionable especially the subway ride. I understand the premise but it feels manufactured. I don't know if there was ever such a note with all those regular people names and that speech to rally his supporters. If such an event happened, I would think he goes into the subway with his mind already set. He wouldn't need these regular folks to give him his direction. The climatic change in him is the meeting with the King. While I understand the idea that the normal people give him the strength to make the iconic speech, it feels fake. It's small bump in an otherwise beautiful, epic, thrilling road.