Lonzi became disillusioned and went as far as dismissing art criticism as a "phoney profession". Dialog is terse and topical, avoiding the sentimental, phoney touch. During the Phoney War, Laval was cautiously ambivalent towards the conflict. She rejects Kevin, branding him a phoney. Halifax remained opposed to any hint of a compromise peace during the Phoney War. Her brother then frees Phoney and Smiley. This assumption led to "Private Eye" nicknaming him the "Phoney Pharaoh". They took minimal military action during what became known as the Phoney War. As early as the Phoney War, pamphlets were being dropped. The quiet of the Phoney War was punctuated by a few Allied actions. At the end of the Phoney War, Winston Churchill became the wartime Prime Minister. During the Phoney War he took part in several commando actions against German forces. The result was a phoney war between Sweden and Britain. After the Phoney War, the Battle of France began in earnest on 10 May 1940. This period became known as the Phoney War.