'Darkest Hour' Movie Review

A few days ago, I was lucky enough to attend a private screening of Gary Oldman's new film Darkest Hour with a panel beforehand with Gary himself, and the amazing makeup team that transformed him into Churchill (Event hosted by Makeup Artist Magazine).

If you aren't familiar with the film, here is a brief summary of the film: It is an inspiring true story that takes place in World War II. The story follows Winston Churchill in the days of becoming Prime Minister of Great Britain. He is faced with a choice to negotiate a peace treaty with Nazi Germany, or stand and fight for the ideals, liberty, and freedom of a nation. As Nazi forces rolling across Western Europe, the threat of invasion looming overhead, a skeptical King, and his own party plotting against him, Churchill must survive his "darkest hour."

At the end of the night, I was truly speechless. Every element of this film is truly a work of art, from the masterful cinematography, to the mind blowing makeup transformation, to powerful acting performances from the whole cast. I urge everyone to run to the theaters to see this film as soon as it hits theaters. Gary Oldman IS Winston Churchill. As a special effects makeup artist myself, I was eager to see his transformation and see if the makeup held up on camera as he speaks, smokes, and lives in it. I was not disappointed! If you were not told that it was Gary in makeup you never would have guessed! The transformation is so incredibly realistic without taking away from the film, a few minutes in and you completely forget about it and just see Churchill. It is a powerful film that is funny, sweet, sad, intense, heart warming, and in the end inspiring.

Now back to the panel before the screening! Makeup Artist Magazine put together a panel with Gary Oldman and his makeup team Kazuhiro Tsuji, David Malinowski, and Lucy Sibbick. These artists were able to achieve many incredible things. The first thing that stood out that they said was that they shot all of Garys scenes back to back adding up to around 48 days in a row in heavy prosthetic makeup (instead of breaking up the days like a typical set). That is a lot for the makeup artists and the actor to go through. Also, keep in mind Gary's call time to set was usually around 2 AM, meaning the makeup team had to get there at least an hour before to prep for the three hour makeup application to turn Gary into Churchill! If that is not enough, add on the fact that they had to transform Gary into a real historical figure that he looks nothing like normally! So incredible. Another thing that really stood out to me was something that Gary said. When he was offered the role he knew it would be a heavy makeup role (which he is no stranger to) and he told production he would only do it if he had "the master" (AKA Kazuhiro Tsuji). This was a big feat since Kazu retired from makeup a few years ago and focuses on fine art now. But he was able to lure him out of retirement for a fun challenge. Based on how amazing this makeup turned out, I am sure Kazu is happy with this choice.

In the end, this film is a true success in my eyes! Congratulations to everyone who had a role in creating this film on your success!

A true work of art that I expect to see great Oscar buzz about, I award this film a "V for victory." (Watch the movie and you'll get that.)