One Life Movie Review
This past Friday night, my wife and mother-in-law and I decided to watch the movie One Life, starring Anthony Hopkins and Helena Bonham Carter.
I wasn’t sure what to expect because I had never even heard of it.
This movie just became one of my all time favorites. It’s filled with emotion and teaches us some valuable lessons about determination, compassion and the power even a small group of people can have when they surrender themselves to God’s plan.
One Life Movie (2024)
The movie One Life is based on the true story of Nicholas “Nicky” Winton who orchestrated the rescue of almost 700 Czechoslovakian children at the outbreak of World War II.
Nicky was himself of German decent living in England as a stock broker at the time in 1938. Hitler had just essentially been handed Sudentenland as a form of appeasement in the hopes he would not start an all out war. But as history shows, Hitler invaded Poland on September 1, 1939.
Leading up to that fateful day, Nicky Winton felt the deep desire to help the children who were already becoming caught in the crossfire in Czechoslovakia. So he traveled to Prague and met up with a team who was already on the ground trying to accomplish the same thing.
The movie goes on to reveal what happens from there, bouncing back and forth between a very old Nicky in 1987 to him as a young man beginning his mission.
What Can We Learn From One Life?
Though the movie centers on the rescue of mainly Jewish children, the theme of surrendering oneself to God’s plan transcends religions.
At one point early on, Nicky is asked by someone in Prague who appears to be a Rabbi, why he wants to rescue these children. The Rabbi rightly is protective of his community, especially these most vulnerable children.
Nicky’s response is beautiful. He says that he has seen children sleeping in open fields and in mud and that “I have seen this and I cannot unsee it. And because I may be able to do something about it, I must at least try.”
This is the heart of someone so convicted about serving others. It doesn’t matter what their religion is or their status in life. Nicky, like Christ, wanted to meet people where they were to serve them, even if it meant putting him self in danger.
When Was The One Life Movie Released?
The One Life movie release date was March 15, 2024 in the United States by Bleeker Street. It was originally screened at the Toronto Film Festival in September 2023.
Where To Watch The One Life Movie
As of this writing, you can stream the One Life movie by renting it on Amazon Prime. It’s not available on Netflix today.
Cast Of One Life
Sir Anthony Hopkins plays the older Nicky Winton while Johnny Flynn plays the younger version.
Helena Bonham Carter plays Nicky’s mother, Babi Winton, who was a critical influence and supporter for Nicky in his mission.
Lena Olin plays the role of Nicky’s wife, Grete.
Sir Anthony Hopkins dazzled on screen with his performance. His character starts out being portrayed as an old man who seems to be stuck in his ways and wracked with guilt about the thousands of other children he could not save.
“I have seen this and I cannot unsee it. And because I may be able to do something about it, I must at least try.”
Hopkins’ acting was pure magic. He was able to convince you that Nicky was ambitious in his youth and his old age. And he delivered pangs of sorrow that seemed so real, they left me not just crying at times, but by the end of the movie, weeping.
Helena Bonham Carter played Nicky’s mother, Babi, in such a way that made you feel like you would be proud to have her as your own mother. She was fierce when she needed to be, but as soft as a feather during key moments where she had to convince others to help her son.
One Life Movie Parents Guide: Is It Safe To Watch With Kids?
There are some pretty emotional scenes that depict children leaving their parents, not knowing when or if they’ll see them again. There are a couple of scenes where people are forcibly detained by the SS.
My age recommendation for One Life would be at least 14 years old. And to be candid, I don’t know that kids under 16 would be interested in this movie until they really learn about the horrors of the Holocaust.
To be clear, there are no scenes depicting concentration camps or activities that went on in the camps. But there are many references to the camps themselves and of the gas chambers.
So, unless you’re ready to explain those horrors to your children, I’m not sure I would encourage them to watch this movie quite yet.
My Final Thoughts & Movie Rating For One Life
It’s been quite a while since a movie touched me so deeply to the point it was almost hard to stop crying, especially towards the end.
The lessons learned in One Life about the being compassionate no matter what the cost will always be relevant. In my opinion, this is one of those sneaky movies you might not consider watching, but that leaves a lasting impression on your heart.
I would rate One Life a 5 out of 5 star movie! It’s one I will likely watch again.
