| Overall Grade: |
B- |
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| Story: |
C+ |
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| Acting: |
B |
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| Direction: |
B- |
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|
| Visuals: |
B+ |
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Blanchette smolders but the story fizzles
by Jon (movies profile)
Jun 7, 2007
1
of
1 people found this review helpful
Here's another one of those movies where I find myself halfway in saying to myself, "If they don't screw it up, this could be a halfway decent flick." And then they screw it up.
For anyone with even a modest interest in the history of post-war Germany, this film builds on a fascinating concept. Hustlers and players engage in games of cat-and-mouse as the world superpowers seek to carve up Germany and its brain trust of rocket scientists.
Initially, this formula works. Actually, it works until nearly the end of the film. Clooney is great as the world-weary American looking for a bit of diversion after the war; Blanchette is pitch-perfect as a desperate yet cunning German widow (?) looking for a way out--any way out. Her accent and "Aryan" features perfectly complement the scenario unfolding on the screen. And Toby McGuire plays--a bad guy? Great!
But as the director reveals the end game, it's all fizzle and no fire. I'm reminded in a bad way of 2006's "Inside Man," where when all the cards were laid out on the table, it became apparent that the director wasn't using a full deck. The "twist" has been revealed, but the film drags on for another 20 mintues or so.
This film is certainly a good attempt at a post-war film noir offering, and in that sense it delivers. If you're a fan of the genre, it's worth a watch. But unfortunately, it leaves a bad taste in the mouth that no amount of good lager and bratwurst will erase. |
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