March 14, 2024
FILM: ONE LIFE
DIRECTED BY: JASON HAWES
STARRING: ANTHONY HOPKINS, HELENA BONHAM CARTER, JOHNNY FLYNN
RATING: 3 ½ out of 4 stars
By Dan Pal
There are many exceptional and heart-tugging stories about World War II. We still haven’t heard them all as is evidenced by One Life. Based on true events, the film explores Nicholas Winton who in the weeks leading up to the Nazi invasion of Poland in 1939 saved over 650 children by getting them housed with British foster families. Why most of us don’t know this story is beyond me for it is the type of heroic story that seems like it would have been tailor made for the cinema decades ago. It’s also the type of film the Academy loves and yet it hasn’t been given the type of release that might allow it to receive well-deserved nominations for Oscars.
Starting at the top is Anthony Hopkins who plays Winton in 1987. The character is sifting through the memorabilia he has saved over the years when he opens an old scrapbook featuring photos of the children he saved and those he didn’t. He decides that the book might be important to someone so he attempts to pass it on to a journalist. What this does though is bring up the many memories he has, in particular the nagging guilt he feels for not saving more children than he could.
The film then flashes back to the time in question with Johnny Flynn playing the younger Winton as he takes time off from his job as a broker in England to begin his cause in Prague where many Jews have become refugees due to fears associated with oncoming Nazi’s. Winton has help from others including his mother, played by a fierce Helena Bonham Carter. Their job is tough and hurried. Part of the character’s inspiration centers on what someone tells him early in the process: “Don’t start what you can’t finish.” This plagues Winton’s mind for decades especially as he explores his past in 1987.
The scenes from the earlier era are pretty riveting to watch unfold, as we know the Nazi dangers that lie ahead. Some of the details such as how Winton’s group is able to find so many families to house these children are left a bit unclear. For a while I’d almost wished the whole focus here was on this particular historical period to fully develop out the historical part of the story. However, as we return to the much older Winton his internal turmoil late in life, due to his previous actions, becomes even more palpable. During the final scenes his story is revealed to the public making it a truly emotional and moving experience for everyone, including viewers of the film.
One of the other big themes here relates to the title: “If you’ve saved one life, you’ve saved the world.” Of course, Winton saved more than one life but perhaps his own life was saved before the war due to his tireless efforts. One life can save many as is evidenced by the generations that now exist thanks to Winton.
This is a deeply moving film and Hopkins gives yet another Oscar-caliber performance. We are indeed so lucky to still have him cranking out so many incredible recent performances that demonstrate real humanity. Hopkins’s one life has led to a world of important and inspiring films.
One Life opens theatrically this week.
FILM: ONE LIFE
DIRECTED BY: JASON HAWES
STARRING: ANTHONY HOPKINS, HELENA BONHAM CARTER, JOHNNY FLYNN
RATING: 3 ½ out of 4 stars
By Dan Pal
There are many exceptional and heart-tugging stories about World War II. We still haven’t heard them all as is evidenced by One Life. Based on true events, the film explores Nicholas Winton who in the weeks leading up to the Nazi invasion of Poland in 1939 saved over 650 children by getting them housed with British foster families. Why most of us don’t know this story is beyond me for it is the type of heroic story that seems like it would have been tailor made for the cinema decades ago. It’s also the type of film the Academy loves and yet it hasn’t been given the type of release that might allow it to receive well-deserved nominations for Oscars.
Starting at the top is Anthony Hopkins who plays Winton in 1987. The character is sifting through the memorabilia he has saved over the years when he opens an old scrapbook featuring photos of the children he saved and those he didn’t. He decides that the book might be important to someone so he attempts to pass it on to a journalist. What this does though is bring up the many memories he has, in particular the nagging guilt he feels for not saving more children than he could.
The film then flashes back to the time in question with Johnny Flynn playing the younger Winton as he takes time off from his job as a broker in England to begin his cause in Prague where many Jews have become refugees due to fears associated with oncoming Nazi’s. Winton has help from others including his mother, played by a fierce Helena Bonham Carter. Their job is tough and hurried. Part of the character’s inspiration centers on what someone tells him early in the process: “Don’t start what you can’t finish.” This plagues Winton’s mind for decades especially as he explores his past in 1987.
The scenes from the earlier era are pretty riveting to watch unfold, as we know the Nazi dangers that lie ahead. Some of the details such as how Winton’s group is able to find so many families to house these children are left a bit unclear. For a while I’d almost wished the whole focus here was on this particular historical period to fully develop out the historical part of the story. However, as we return to the much older Winton his internal turmoil late in life, due to his previous actions, becomes even more palpable. During the final scenes his story is revealed to the public making it a truly emotional and moving experience for everyone, including viewers of the film.
One of the other big themes here relates to the title: “If you’ve saved one life, you’ve saved the world.” Of course, Winton saved more than one life but perhaps his own life was saved before the war due to his tireless efforts. One life can save many as is evidenced by the generations that now exist thanks to Winton.
This is a deeply moving film and Hopkins gives yet another Oscar-caliber performance. We are indeed so lucky to still have him cranking out so many incredible recent performances that demonstrate real humanity. Hopkins’s one life has led to a world of important and inspiring films.
One Life opens theatrically this week.