Darkest Hour **** Review by Chris Hembury

Darkest Hour ****

Gary Oldman is unrecognisable as Winston Churchill in war time drama set during the first five weeks of the war time Prime Minister taking office.

The story restricts itself to the first five weeks of Winston's Premiership as he battles the escalating war against Hitler, the back bench revolts and his own mind under the massive pressure now thrusted onto his shoulders during this monumental moment that History is watching intrepidly closely.

The film rejects the temptation to make itself to big or too far reaching by just covering this particular time frame and more to the point this particular mind frame of Churchill as dark and difficult times are waged all around him. Or has Churchill says receiving the job in these times is "Not a reward, it is revenge" to the amusement of himself.

Never once pulling punches of the frailties or faults of Churchill from his temper, drinking, smoking, rants or loss of thought the man is exposed (and in one scene in every way) to show that he is just a man. A flawed man. But cripplingly his psychological journey from backbencher to Prime Minister in one of the most taught, stressful accusations of power (making even Mrs May think she has it easy) shows this flawed man was designed for this moment in history where he would represent the spirit of the nation against the worst dictator the world had ever seen.

Joe Wright keep a massive film small but showing allot through the eyes of Churchill keeping sweeping shots mainly POV and consisting of the view of the world from a smaller perspective. Whether it be London streets from Churchill's car or France from the window of Churchill's plane hard work has been made to keep the world objectively exposed to the viewer. Special effect shots are also used sparingly and effectively to spice up the story telling from swooping grand shots from the roof of the war rooms to trenches in Europe.

Gary Oldman should receive the Oscar nomination and win for a role that is truly mesmerising to the viewer exposing so many aspects of Churchill's nature is truly tremendous and difficult feet the versatile actor has successfully done and should be rewarded.

Stand outs in this cast are Ben Mendelsohn taking on the role Of King George a role that won Colin Firth a Oscar only a few years ago might have caused trepidation but the Australian actor pulls off the voice, lisp with great effect and performs the character ark well creating a new memorable cinematic entry to the performances of the role.

Kristen Scott Thomas plays Clemintine Churchill to great effect (as usual) but unfortunately doesn't have a complete character ark to accomplish like Churchill and the KIng and Chamberlin for that matter but plays the scenes she does have well but will not obtain the memorability that I'm sure the other Characters will.

A great well told account of the one greatest struggles the world had seen through the eyes of the most memorable figures the world had ever seen proving that every dog has his day.

From the writing, directing and acting this film truly excels in it's execution and I'm sure Gary Oldman will doing V for Victory on Oscar night.