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One Life (2023)

One Life (2023)

It’s not as compelling as it ought to be, but this inspiring tale of heroism is heartwarming a watch

7.0

Movie

Australia, Czech Republic
Czech, English, French
Drama, Family, History, War
2023
JAMES HAWES
Adrian Rawlins, Aleš Bílík, Alex Sharp
109 min

TLDR

It’s not as remarkable as the true story it dramatizes, but it’s engaging and effective enough to be seen.

What it's about

Tells the true story of how one British stockbroker-turned-humanitarian attempted to save more than 600 Jewish children from the grasp of the Nazis.

The take

As far as heroic biopics go, One Life is fairly standard, if not a bit forgettable. The film’s monotonous pace and less-than-compelling drama don’t quite match the extraordinary real-life feats of the British stockbroker who helped transport hundreds of Jewish children from Nazi-occupied Prague into Britain. The beats are familiar, the dialogue even more so. But there is one saving grace here, and that’s Anthony Hopkins, who plays the stockbroker in question, Nicky Winton, with such believable grace. Hopkins effortlessly relays the heavy guilt of his character, and when he finally breaks down by the film’s climax, you can’t help but cry with him. Everything else about the film, including the flashbacks to young Nicky, played by Johnny Flynn, could be stronger, but as it stands, One Life serves as an effective enough reminder to stand up for what’s right and be proud of that act, no matter how seemingly small or singular.

What stands out

The aforementioned climax, a miraculous moment captured on live TV. Whether you’ve already seen the viral clip about it or not, it’s sure to be a hair-raiser.

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