One Life Tells The Remarkable Story of Nicholas Winton In A Masterclass Of A Biopic
In the cluster of action-packed war-related films, One Life brings a moving humanitarian narrative about a remarkable man named Sir Nicholas Winton (Anthony Hopkins). In 1938, he traveled to Prague to help The British Committee for Refugees in Czechoslovakia. Originally saving politically outspoken individuals, he convinces Trevor Chadwick (Alex Sharp) and Doreen Warriner (Romola Garai) to rescue the children living in these unsanitary, harsh winter living conditions.
One Life wastes no time getting into the facts of what happened. Straddling between Winton’s younger self (Johnny Flynn) and the post war memories, you watch this relentless fight that required badgering immigration officials to rapidly authorize and stamp visas, raise money in donations/fees, and meticulously organizing foster homes — while simultaneously under the threat of Nazi invasion at any given moment. Flynn’s performance of a younger, passionate Nicholas stands on its own. He’s got a friendliness to him that makes the children and adults trust him, but also the grit to push for government officials and the public to help. It’s a performance that crafts who Nicholas Winton was and that endearing nature can be felt.
The emotional yet subtle performance by Hopkins is powerful. He’s a true gem as he portrays the brave Winton — and a delight on screen. As he reminisces on the book he kept the documents in, Hopkins shows the vulnerability in his wonder about the 669 children he saved. Eventually, he reaches out to colleague Martin Blake (Jonathan Pryce) who offers advice on what to do with the book. Through the search, it goes from Elizabeth Maxwell to her husband Robert to Esther Rantzen (Samantha Spiro), the host of popular BBC show “That’s Life!”
This moment is the most moving of all as Rantzen surprises Winton by filling the audience with the grown up children he’s saved, especially the ones he’s wondered about the most throughout the film. I will say, have a tissue box in hand because it truly is a wonderfully beautiful scene. Winton also decides to bring some back to his house, along with their children and grandchildren, for a nice spring dinner. Their shared laughs echo into your heart that you can’t help but feel. Even more so, a shared moment I loved and cried at was when Winton told Vera Diamantova (Henrietta Garden), “I like to swim,” and she responded “You remember.” I also love that the studio audience in the film is made up of some of the real life Prague rescue survivors which just adds to the overall emotional impact.
The supporting actors, including Helena Bonham Carter and Lena Olin, give very classy performances that enhance the storytelling even if you’re not into war-related films. They give a light to their respective characters in witty and adoring ways. The unpredictability of Nazi invasion sets up dramatic points throughout the film making you worry if the children will make it out or not and what that means for the committee without overdoing it. You’re constantly on edge during the process, hoping the children are safely rescued the same way Winton was. It’s a perfect blend of inspiring and tear jerking. I found myself getting attached to the children and that kept me captivated for what’s to come next.
One Life is nothing short of enthralling and will guarantee some tears in the process. Between the impassioned performances and exquisite cinematography, it proves itself to be a masterpiece in biopics and a story that needs to be told.
One Life is out March 15 in theaters.
