Led by a powerhouse performance from Brian Cox, Churchill delves into a little-known facet in the life of the iconic leader with an intimacy that is both stark and engrossing.

2017 is certainly shaping up to be the “Year of Churchill”, with the likes of John Lithgow (TV show The Crown) and Gary Oldman (the upcoming Darkest Hour) all portraying the iconic British Prime Minister and fearless leader during WWII. Yet it would be hard to deny the powerful performance delivered by Brian Cox in the Jonathan Teplitzky directed Churchill, an engrossing biopic that although not the most visually cinematically inclined when compared to recent period pieces, tells its story with skill and emotion.

Its story delves into a little-known facet to us Churchill novices, that in fact the cigar chomping one was against the D-Day landings of Normandy that changed the tide of WWII to the allies’ favour. The opening scenes of Churchill shows why this is so, as a mournful Winston envisions a sea of blood, as past memories of the failed Gallipoli invasion of WWI (of which he was an architect) still haunts his soul.  Stubborn in his resolve, Churchill seeks to change the mind of the Allies commander General Dwight Eisenhower (John Slattery), while dealing with the increasingly fractured marriage to Clementine (Miranda Richardson) as the deadline for the D-Day invasion creeps ever closer.

With his fifth feature film, Teplitzky has done a great job in presenting a man whose public persona is that of grunt and steel, yet his personal life is plagued by regrets that cloud his better judgement. Of course, the key of any biopic is to delve into the muddy waters of its subject. Yet what is interesting with Churchill is that it represents the portrait of a politician, a Prime Minister no less, as a man plagued by the decisions made when in a role of power. During a time when world leaders are viewed in a less than flattering view (to say the least), Churchill brings a different view to what a leader of the free world is subjected to.

Playing the title role is Brian Cox. Long regarded as one of the best character actors to appear on the screen, Cox plays the role of Churchill with grit and stunning authenticity. Whether it is growling orders at his staff or confessing his fears to his loved ones, there is an unshakeable belief in Cox’s portrayal that dazzles. Cox doesn’t simply play Churchill, but rather becomes him, the excellent hair and make-up effects from Cate Hall contributing to Cox’s performance.   

There are some flaws in Churchill to be sure. At times it feels like a production more suited to TV. An exposition heavy script can also irritate, especially during its opening scenes. But once Cox gets going, and the drama ramps to that perfect emotional pitch, Churchill is indeed a fine biopic of an iconic leader.