Covering the first month of Churchill's stint as Prime Minister, Darkest Hour sees Gary Oldman give a monumental and hugely impressive character performance that gives an insightful political spin on familiar territory (which dovetails nicely with Nolan's Dunkirk) and manages to humanise the historical figure most effectively. The script is confident and compelling, and there are many excellent supporting performances to admire, from Kristin Scott Thomas as steadfast wife Clemmie to Lily James as Churchill's long-suffering secretary and Stephen Dillane as his political counterpoint in Lord Halifax. This time, Wright mostly avoids over-theatrical direction and devices (even the whimsical meet-the-public on the London Underground sequence is almost forgivable) and presents a well-constructed, brisk and handsome-looking film that is a fantastic showcase for a career-best Oldman.
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