I went to the movies again with Venetia and Raul yesterday, and saw “Darkest Hour”. This movie focuses on the beginning of Churchill’s time as Prime Minister during the war years, including his struggles to have his plans and ideas accepted by the Opposition. It take a close-up, intimate look at his arguments with Chamberlain and Halifax over their desire for peace negotiations with Hitler, and ends with the heroic evacuation of Dunkirk.

My definition of good acting is when you don’t actually see the actor, just the character. By that measure, Gary Oldman does a masterful job, as I truly never noticed him — I only saw Churchill. It was a gripping movie, and I must admit it stirred my British blood quite a bit! I hope Oldman wins the Oscar for Best Actor, as it would be well deserved.

Kristin Scott Thomas also turned in a low-key but effective performance as Churchill’s wife, Clementine, and Ben Mendelsohn’s King George was convincing and empathetic. The movie should also win an award for make-up, based on Oldman’s physical transformation alone.

Highly recommended.