Best Picture Birb- Darkest Hour

Darkest Hour
Starring: Gary Oldman, Lily James, and Kristin Scott Thomas
Directed By Joe Wright
US Release Date: November 22nd, 2017
Most Recent Viewing: March 3rd, 2018
Image Credit: movieposter.com

Nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Actor (Gary Oldman) and Best Picture, Joe Wright's Darkest Hour follows the days after Winston Churchill became Prime Minister amidst the pressure of Hitler's advance France and Great Britain during World War II.

This is a good movie that is elevated to a great one on the back of Oldman's performance of Churchill. He is unrecognizable in the role, which takes talent. When actors play historical figures, it appears as the actor playing the figure. That is not the case here. From the first time you see him on screen, you see Churchill, not Oldman.

The cinematography, score, and costume design also add to the appeal of the film. Joe Wright has a knack for long shots and interesting camera work, and you feel a real tension as the days get nearer to the German invasion of Dunkirk. This is a film to see just on Oldman's performance alone, but the supporting cast led by Kristin Scott Thomas as Clementine Churchill that makes this a complete film, and one of my favorites of 2017.

Darkest Hour is rated PG-13 for thematic material and mild language. What are your thoughts? Follow me at facebook.com/moviebirb or twitter.com/moviebirb and leave your comments.
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