I saw this last Friday, but decided to wait before posting many thoughts in order to let my feelings sink in. Now, to see this film, my friend, his brother, his friend, and myself had to drive up to the Parks Mall in Arlington, as the AMC there is the only theater near here playing it. We went for the 3:20 showing, but thanks to hellish Christmas traffic, we were late. The next showing wasn't until 7:00, but we decided to get something to eat and then hang out at the mall until it started. It was more than worth the wait, because this is one brilliant piece of cinema.
The film starts off with a combination of actual news footage from the time of the Munich events and a recreation of the events themselves. It makes for a powerful opening to the film, and it perfectly sets the tone for the rest of the picture.
Munich is an incredibly bleak film. Thankfully, Spielberg does not sugar-coat anything, and there is hardly an ounce of comedy relief. It is also very graphic, moreso than any other Spielberg film I've seen, and that's including
Saving Private Ryan. A scene involving the use of pop guns is especially brutal. This is very serious subject matter, and Spielberg obviously knows it.
Spielberg's message hits hard, as does the emotional impact of the film. He shows both sides of the conflict, that of the Israelis as well as that of the Palestinians, though the emphasis does tend to lean more to the Israelis. That's appropriate though, as the film is mainly centered around their quest to destroy Black September. He doesn't firmly pick a side here, and I think that adds to the film.
The period feel is amazingly realized, and the jawdropping cinematography only enhances the feeling. The use of editing is also flawless, especially in a brilliant sequence with
The film is also graced with a truly haunting score, one that I had stuck in my head for hours after the film ended.
The acting is perfect on every level. Eric Bana gives what is simply the best performance of the year, bar none. He depicts a large range of emotions with his body language and facial expressions alone. He embodies the role of Avner and all the torture that comes with it. Towards the end of the film, after all the emotional hell he's been through, he actually looks like he's aged several years since the start of the film. He is just mesmerizing in this film. I'm also happy to report that this is one of the rare cases where all of the supporting players are just as good.
Of the supporting cast, my favorite were Ciarán Hinds as the morally outspoken Carl, and Mathieu Amalric as the group's shady French contact. Hinds delivers a civilized sense of class to the group, and his use of moral thoughts and optimism to help him keep his sanity is a great quirk. Amalric steals every scene he's in. He's got wonderful screen presence, and his subtlety is very impressive, especially the emotion present in his face for the remainder of the film after a key moment where
I think he bears an uncanny resemblance to Roman Polanski too. Geoffrey Rush is also wonderful in a smaller, but key role. There are several actors whom I failed to mention, but don't let that fool you. Everyone in this film is flawless as far as I'm concerned. Absolutely flawless.
The final sequence with Rush and Bana is incredibly powerful, and I think it's a perfect ending to a perfect film. This is Spielberg's best film since
Duel, and seeing how that's his first film, that should tell you how much I adored this one. It is certainly the best film of 2005, and overall, one of the most rewarding theatrical experiences I've ever had. I hope this one makes a ton of money at the box office. It sure as hell deserves to. There is so much more I want to say about this film, but I'll save it for the discussion thread I suppose.
***** out of *****
