One Life, 2023.
Directed by James Hawes.
Starring Anthony Hopkins, Johnny Flynn, Helena Bonham Carter, Romola Garai, Alex Sharp, Samantha Spiro, Jonathan Pryce, and Lena Olin.
SYNOPSIS:
One Life tells the true story of Sir Nicholas ‘Nicky’ Winton, a young London broker who, in the months leading up to World War II, rescued 669 children from the Nazis.
Nicholas Winton lived a remarkable life, helping to save 669 children from Czechoslovakia, the majority of whom were Jewish, from the threat of the imminent Nazi invasion in 1938-1939. His story was broadcast to millions via That’s Life where he interacted with the families of those he had saved in 1988, and now it brought to the big screen in One Life with Anthony Hopkins and Johnny Flynn playing Winton during the 1930s and his later years. Director James Hawes makes the transition from TV to Film having helmed episodes of Slow Horses, Doctor Who, Merlin and Penny Dreadful.
This film will play well with British audiences especially and feels in a similar vein to the likes of Living or Munich: The Edge of War. It is competently made but owing to Hawes’ background feels a tad televisual; with a more seasoned director this may have been a more hard-hitting telling of Winton’s story. It is certainly not without merits though and the emotional beats land when they need to but it is clear throughout that this could have been much more effective. The script in particular is quite heavy-handed, holding back moments that could have landed with more aplomb.
Hopkins, Flynn and a slightly underused Helena Bonham Carter are the glue that holds the film together and keeps it watchable. Hopkins’ older Winton is full of regret for not doing more to save further families, constantly reassured he did all he could, and eventually coming to realise his contribution to society and the lives owed to him. Flynn’s younger Winton is driven by a desire to do good and help where he can. Outside of the leads, the characters are quite thinly sketched with major names like Jonathan Pryce and Romola Garai not allowed room to leave a mark.
In spite of its shortcomings, the film still lands many of its emotional punches and will resonate with many familiar with the story. The build-up to the sequences around That’s Life leave their mark with a fun Esther Rantzen impersonation from Samantha Spiro.
One Life is a well-meaning but slightly heavy-handed retelling of an inspiring story. The cast prevents it from going off the rails and make it watchable, ensuring it delivers the necessary emotional beats, it is a reminder of the good in all of us and how small contributions can have a big impact, as such it will likely prove a key reminder of the events depicted. Hopkins continues to prove why he is such a versatile performer. If not perfect this film will play well with British audiences in particular.
Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★
Chris Connor
