by Shane Conto, Staff Writer
When will filmmakers stop making films about the Holocaust and World War II? You might think that this era of humanity is overdone, but the key is to find unique stories. There are quite a few stories of normal people who did great things to save people that have been brought to the silver screen. Many of these people have been lost to history, but leveraging an art form like film can bring their contributions back to life. That is exactly what happened for Nicky Minton, a man who saved over 600 children from the Nazis in Czechoslovakia.
How does Minton’s story come to life on screen? Director James Hawes delivers One Life, a historical drama that is classic in feel, and deeply emotional. There is great effort to bring this time to life with impressive costuming and production design. You never feel like you are watching a film from 2024, as Hawes and cinematographer Zac Nicholson create a filmic feel. There is certainly a gray look to some of the flashback moments, but that feels a bit standard for many films focusing on this era. Volker Bertelmann’s score is the right amount of classic, and emotes in the right ways.
Does the script from Lucinda Coxon and Nick Drake do right by Minton’s story as told in Barbara Winton’s book? There is a fair share of films that focus on an older person remembering the events that made them historically significant. In many of those films, there is a struggle to find relevance in framing devices. One Life balances the actual events of Minton (as portrayed by Anthony Hopkins) getting the children out, and the future events of his accomplishments being rediscovered. There is a good balance of emotion and engagement in both parts of the film. The story all leads up to one specific moment where Minton and his legacy collide in a scene which was heavily utilized in the trailers and could have easily come off as cheesy and melodramatic. Hawes and his actors make it work so well that this scene delivers as the emotional climax of the film as it should have been.
Why do the emotions of this heroic story deliver so well? This cast. First off, Hopkins continues to prove why he might be the best actor in the world. For a role that is mostly just an older man reflecting on his life and reconnecting with people, there is so much emotion that he brings to every scene. The authenticity Hopkins brings to his roles is just unmatched. If you need an older British man in any project… do your best to get Hopkins. Lena Olin plays a supportive wife, and it is a performance that finds some layers in its simplicity. Jonathan Pryce and Helena Bonham Carter are a pair of veteran performers, who make an impact in their smaller roles in the film. One of the most unexpected elements was seeing Johnny Flynn (a talented actor in his own right) transform into a younger Hopkins. The unsurprising thing is that Flynn does a great job in the role. Kudos to all the talented performers who portray the families impacted by Minton as they find space to shine along with some of the famous talent on screen.
Does One Life deliver an elevated historical drama in a saturated market? Thanks to the impressive performances and genuine emotion of the story, it stands a notch above many of these more forgettable WWII era dramas. Hopkins gets another opportunity to shine, and he helps the legacy of Sir Nicholas Minton get the spotlight it deserves.
Rating: Liked It
One Life is currently playing in theaters
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