One Life: LFF Film Review
One Life is a powerful and deeply moving film that proves one person can make a difference.
London stockbroker Nicholas Winton (Johnny Flynn) visits Prague in December 1938, in the months leading up to World War II. He discovers refugees living in awful conditions after fleeing the rise of the Nazi regime in Germany, Austria and northern Czechoslovakia. With the threat of Nazi invasion looming, Winton, his mother Babi (Helena Bonham Carter) and the team at the British Commission for Refugees of Czechoslovakia (BCRC) race against time to bring the refugee children to the U.K.
Winton’s incredible humanitarian achievements flew under the radar for 50 years until an episode of That’s Life! shined a light on his service in the late ’80s. The film flips between both time periods, with Flynn sharing the role of Winton with Anthony Hopkins.
Winton had so many obstacles – paperwork, money and logistics – to overcome in order to pull off the Kindertransport but he persisted with dogged determination anyway, even when others insisted it couldn’t be done. He achieved the impossible and saved so many children so I’m thrilled this film shines a spotlight on his services to humanity.
It’s no surprise, given the story, that One Life is an emotional watch. Winton’s actions are so inspirational and the story feels very timely considering the treatment of refugees today. There is a scene during the ’80s storyline that moved me to tears so make sure you bring tissues!
While Bonham Carter, Flynn and their co-stars Romola Garai, Alex Sharp, Lena Olin and Jonathan Pryce put in solid performances, I was most taken aback by Hopkins. His performance broke my heart because Winton felt unworthy of any praise because he believed he didn’t do enough. He couldn’t accept what he achieved because he wanted to save them all.
One Life, directed by James Hawes, is a tear-jerking biopic that reminds us, in the words of Winton, “If something is not impossible, then there must be a way to do it.”
Seen at the London Film Festival. In cinemas 1 January 2024