Oldman gives us a human Churchill in ‘Darkest Hour’

Words matter. That’s one of the key messages of “Darkest Hour,’’ in which Gary Oldman embodies — fiercely and memorably — the legendary Winston Churchill, who rallied his country with soaring oratory when Britain’s very survival was at stake.

But the same man who uttered indelible phrases like “I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat’’ — and many others — was also a human being, the film argues, with fears and doubts and insecurities and flaws.

“Just be yourself,’’ Churchill’s wife, Clementine (a briskly effective Kristin Scott Thomas) advises him as he heads off, full of jitters, to meet the king and become the wartime prime minister. Later, he raises a glass with Clementine, with a fervent wish: “Here’s to not buggering it up.’’

“Buggering it up’’ was certainly a risk — both for Churchill, and for Oldman or any actor attempting to embody the great man.

It’s hard enough to portray a revered real-life figure — and harder yet with such a largerthan-life persona, physically and otherwise.

It won’t be a surprise to fans of the skilled Oldman that he avoids mimicry or caricature, and it’s an even better treat that he’s able to so adeptly balance conviction with doubt, courage with fear, and gravity with humour. (Kudos are due as well to the superb makeup by Kazuhiro Tsuji, jowls and all.)