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One Life - Review

Writer's picture: JamieJamie

One Life tells the story of Nicky Winton, and his humanitarian work during the beginning stages of World War II. He was involved in the transporting of 669 Jewish children from Czechoslovakia to London, saving them from the war that was to come. The film does a good job portraying Nicky as someone who does not want to be in the limelight for his actions and as someone who felt like it was the only thing he could do at the time, without question, he was going to help these children. Anthony Hopkins is obviously excellent as Nicky, not getting enough screen time to show current day Nicky as we jump back and forth between the 1980s and 1930s. 



The story follows Nicky in his 80s home, with his wife as he is clearing out years of clutter, finally taking the plunge and donating his scrapbook from his time in the war to a holocaust museum. They take great interest in the untold story, shocked that they had not heard it before. While all this goes on, we hop back to the time of the events, and watch them unfold with Jonny Flynn as young Nicky and Helena Bonham Carter as Nicky’s mother, Babi. Babi plays a huge part in the organisation of the transport as Nicky communicates with people he has in Czechoslovakia to bring the kids across on trains. 


Written out, the story seems simplistic in presentation, or maybe confusing if you’re jumping back and forth between timelines, but there is a clear distinction between events, and an explanation for each jump back and forth. The story has this flow throughout, only really spending too long in the past for one section, leaving you to forget the importance of the 80s events. I do feel that if you’re not paying full attention though, the timeline of the 1930s section can get a little confusing, with how long certain things took, or who’s where at what time. Even through this, I felt the emotional impact of the characters as Nicky is reunited with some of the children he saved towards the conclusion of the film. This section is where Anthony Hopkins really shines as Nicky, having such natural reactions to the emotional events of reuniting with the children he saved all those years ago. 



The score for this seemed to be constant, always lulling in the background without much care for the events going on. At times, this took me out of the moment to tune into the music. I do think there is a lot more attention put into the score in the final act though, ramping up the violins for maximum emotional impact. The camera work is smooth in the film, with a cinematic presentation that is not trying to wow or outdo the story. The colours of the 80s are soft and inviting, with slow camera movements to match. While in the 30s, we get a bit more of grimey look, really setting you in the wartime. 


While the film is a predictable drama, I don’t think that’s a bad thing. It brings in a small element of suspense with the ninth train of refugee children coming into England, which was stopped in transit by the Nazi’s. This suspense is used more to ramp up the guilt that Nicky seems to feel in the 80s, as he knows that this was their biggest group. Even with all of this activism, there is guilt that he could not save everyone. I think this part of the film is so effective and also not made to be a huge deal within the story, just told mostly through Anthony Hopkins’ reactions to any mention of the train. 


It’s a story that, much like in the film, is shocking to have not heard before now. Through the televised coverage in the 80s, there was some national attention at the time but such extraordinary humanitarianism like this has really been buried by other historical events of the times. Even with some of the segments in the past taking their time, I think this film is an important one to have around and is definitely one you’re going to want to bring some tissues for. 

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