Opening 28 Mar 2024
Directed by:
James Hawes
Writing credits:
Lucinda Coxon, Nick Drake, Barbara Winton
Principal actors:
Anthony Hopkins, Lena Olin, Johnny Flynn, Helena Bonham Carter, Tim Steed
One Life is both heart-wrenching and hopeful, skillfully brought to life by Sir Anthony Hopkins. Directed by James Hawes, this film delicately interweaves two eras in the remarkable life of Sir Nicholas Winton, the humble hero often hailed as “the British Oskar Schindler.”
Hopkins delivers a masterful portrayal of the older Winton, haunted by the memories of his courageous endeavor to rescue six hundred and sixty-nine Czech Jewish children from the clutches of the Nazis back in 1938. His nuanced performance captures the emotional depth of a man grappling with the weight of his actions, beautifully transitioning from grief and regret to self-forgiveness.
Supported by an ensemble cast including Johnny Flynn as the younger Winton and Helena Bonham Carter as his formidable mother, the film paints a vivid picture of this tumultuous period in history. The tension-filled scenes of evacuating children amidst Nazi occupation are gripping, while the quieter moments of reflection in 1980s English countryside offer a poignant contrast.
One Life serves as a powerful reminder of the profound impact of individual action in the face of adversity. As Winton's story unfolds on screen, it resonates as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring power of compassion, propelled by Hopkins's understated yet deeply affecting performance. (Erin Huebscher)