Movie Review Mom: Darkest Hour

Movie Title:  

DARKEST HOUR based on the book:

Darkest Hour: How Churchill Brought England Back from the Brink

Grade:  A-

Rating: PG-13, 2 hours 5 minutes

In a Nutshell:   With a fascinating protagonist like Winston Churchill, you can hardly go wrong.

Gary Oldman gives a fantastic performance, the best of his career, and will likely be nominated for an Oscar and probably a win.

 Tips for parents: 

• Children will be bored out of their minds.
• Some profanity.
• Teens with interest in history might tolerate the “talking movie” with no war action.

Uplifting theme: 

• Director Joe Wright explained at the Paris Theater premiere in New York City that this is a film about resistance.
• “Conquer we must, as conquer we shall!” – Winston Churchill
• Strength, courage, tenacity

Things I liked:

• I toured Winston Churchill’s War Room underground in London a couple of years ago and was in awe.  It’s a tourist must for history buffs and fans of Winston Churchill’s leadership.
• I love Lily James in anything.  She’s so lovely and talented and beautiful.
• Kristin Scott Thomas is always wonderful.  What a clever woman Clementine Churchill had to be to handle her husband, and all while gracefully wearing pearls.  It makes you wonder how much more you could do with your life if you had someone like Clementine cheering you on.
• A reminder that even the lowest worker in the ministry played an important role in winning the war.
• Some subtle humor and entertaining dialogue
• There is mention of Dunkirk.  Want to know more about that part of World War II?  Watch the compelling movie and read my movie review of Dunkirk here.
• I loved the subway scene.
• Thrilling speeches that give you rich context to their inspired words.

Things I didn’t like:

• It’s a bit slow and stodgy.
• Sadly, Sir John Hurt died during the filming.  The film was dedicated to him.

Funny lines:

• Be yourself.” – Clementine

“Which self would you like me to be?” – Winston Churchill

• “Are we terribly old?” – Clementine

“Yes, I’m afraid you are.” – Winston

• “Will you stop interrupting me while I am interrupting you?!” – Winston
• “So, this is the Underground!” – Winston when he rides the London Tube for the first time.
• “How old is he?” – Winston, while looking at a baby

“5 months.  He looks like you!” – mother on the subway

“All babies look like me.” – Winston

Interesting lines:

• “It must be late there for you.” – US President on a phone call

“In more ways than you could possibly know.” – Winston

• “You cannot reason with a tiger when your head is in its mouth!” – Winston
• “You are strong because you are imperfect.  You are wise because you have doubts.” – Clementine
• “Lost causes are the only ones worth fighting for.” – Winston
• “Success is not final.  Failure is not fatal.  It is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston

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  @trinaboice