Churchill

CHURCHILL

Director : Jonathan Treplisky

Year : 2017

Genre : Drama

Rating : ***

Brian Cox delivers a marvellously robust performance as Britain's most revered Prime Minister in Jonathan Treplisky's 'Churchill', an efficiently crafted yet notably repetitive bio-drama that is certainly heavy on the history but disappointingly light on cinematic merit. Set against the backdrop of the closing act of World War II, 'Churchill' sees the once fearless leader at loggerheads with both his generals and his American allies over the machinations and eventual execution of Operation Overlord - otherwise known as D-Day. 

With a cigar in his mouth and the iconic hat on his head, Cox certainly looks the part and while his performance may not quite measure up to previous portrayals of the great man (John Lithgow and Michael Gambon to name just a few), he nevertheless manages to bring both a spittle-flecked defiance and surprising vulnerability to his Churchill. In this film, he isn't the fabled leader once governed by power and duty but rather a lowly human being; haunted by his violent past and fearful of the inevitably turbulent future. In stark contrast, the always magnificent Miranda Richardson is terrifically acerbic in her comparatively small yet nonetheless vital role as Clemmie, Winston's devoted yet exasperated wife who appears to be the only person who can quell his infamously blusterous temper.

There a number of other fine performances from the likes of John Slattery who lends a gruff gung-ho attitude to American commander Dwight D. Eisenhower as well as Julian Wadham who is wonderfully antagonistic as General Montgomery. But as should be the case, Churchill is the focus here and while the screenplay written by renowned historian Alex von Tunzelman frequently errs on the side of quasi- Shakespearean melodrama (each line of the purposefully portentous dialogue is bellowed as if to emphasise it's supposed importance), Brian Cox effortlessly anchors the picture with a commanding and riveting central performance that deserves to be remembered during next year's awards season. 

With a running time that marginally exceeds the 90 minute mark and a directorial style that lacks flash or flair, 'Churchill' isn't exactly the most cinematic film on release at the moment. In fact, with it's slower pace and relatively lack-back attitude, it would probably work better sat in a comfy armchair with a cup of afternoon tea and a slice of Battenburg rather than in a cinema seat with a bucket of popcorn and a gallon of fizzy drink. Nonetheless, 'Churchill' is still a fascinating if not flawed attempt to tell the true story behind one of the more desperate periods in the history of British politics with the dignity and respect it so clearly deserves and one that should be watched by history buffs young and old. Just not necessarily on the big screen.