One Life - An Incredible Story Told Plainly

One Life [2023]

Film

You know those video clips that go viral every other year? More specifically, the ones that make you sob from the sheer beauty and heart of the moment on camera? One of those videos, a 1988 clip from a BBC program called That's Life! never fails to tap the deepest wells of tears for me. Uncorking a snifflefest of sobs that takes me quite some time to get over. I'm a total sucker for these videos and have no shame in appreciating humanity when it comes across my screen.

If you haven't had the chance to see it, you can see it in its original form or in the reenactment as a part of One Life. This film tells the story behind the viral video, and behind the man (Winton) who worked tirelessly along with his team of helpers, to secure the safe travels of 669 predominantly Jewish children refugees out of Nazi occupied Czechoslovakia.

Anthony Hopkins returns to the screen as the elder version of Winton that appears on the BBC show whereas Johnny Flynn portrays the younger version, working to save the refugees. Hopkins operates as a supporting role in a way, yielding much of the screen time to Flynn for the biopic background necessary to learn more about Winton. The elderly Winton is clearly burdened by the weight of his actions, turning into a borderline hoarder much the chagrin of his wife (Lena Olin). But as Winton begins to unpack, unload some of the baggage on his mind, we get to explore the man behind the moment. And the moment, behind the man.

Hopkins is stupendous, as always. Often acting in a reserved, and humble way that reflects Winton's desires to remain relatively unknown for his actions. His one wish being that people learn from his actions, and find that ordinary people can do extraordinary things to help those in need. Flynn puts in a career best as the young Winton, but the supporting cast during this time leaves a little more to be desired. Well, the supporting cast outside of Helena Bonham Carter, who excels with her limited screen time as Winton's mother.

One Life [2023]

James Hawes does a decent enough job directing One Life. Often turning to the emotional impact of the story it's focused on instead of flashy filmmaking. The end product is a rather plain biopic that does a decent job illuminating how Winton and his team saved 669 children. But what we really lack in One Life are those extra layers to Winton that could make him that much more of a compelling biopic subject.

Make no mistake, what he's accomplished is incredibly compelling on it's own. It's no small feat to be able to transport that many children out of a Nazi occupied state, given all the hurdles in their path. But Hawes' reliance on this narrative to be the only driving emotional factor is a tad lazy, and a bit of a let down. Hawes has directed some really fun, exciting projects in the past. He's one of three directors to lead multiple Black Mirror episodes, he directed the whole first season of Slow Horses and even had some impactful episodes of Snowpiercer. All of these shows are either Emmy contenders/winners, or simply still being made. So there has to be something that he could've brought over? Some finesse, some vision to push the biopic formula in order to give the Winton story some real visual power.

Ultimately, Hawes' film does a good job telling the story of Winton's acts in a straightforward way. One Life could've benefitted from digging deeper into Winton's later years, utilizing the acting capabilities of Hopkins, to help us understand more of the man he was. The hoarding of details, subsequent cleaning, and of course the immense grief and trauma he holds on to from the final train he coordinated not being able to leave Czechoslovakia. Darker corners of Winton's story could've been used to better round out our understanding and admiration of him, while connecting on a more emotional level. Connecting with Winton, his motivations and regrets, as opposed to the singular outcome of what happened.

No matter what though, One Life is an important story to tell. Hopkins works well as the elderly Winton and Hawes keeps it concise. Sure, there could've been more to it. But in the end, One Life is good; not great and not bad, but good.

Froth

An emotional story such as this doesn't need a companion of extravagance. Instead, a simple Pilsner can be a wonderful guide through the ebb and flow of tears. Bringing a refreshing, clean and crisp taste that holds your hand through the experience. Why not match Hawes' no frills direction in One Life with a beer that is elegantly simple. I went with Bale Breaker Brewing Company's Pilsner which is about as stripped down a brew as you can get. Meaning that in the most positive ways, this beer is a beautiful bright and light beverage. As easy to drink as you would ever want with a slight hoppy bitterness that doesn't encroach on that malty cracker like taste that's so delightful.