I went to see Munich last night with some friends and I definitely found it a traumatizing and somehow uplifting experience. Much like Syriana I'm fairly certain that this movie will win some awards it's already nominated for 2 Golden Globes and except for a crying scene Eric Bana gives an Oscar worthy performance. On a side note it has an incredible soundtrack and I'm not just saying that because I love the 70's. Whether you like the movie or not there is no denying that it is an extremely provoking piece of work. The movie is based on actual events that took place at the 1972 Olympics in Munich, Germany, so I feel that I'm not going to give too much away by talking about the movie.
We were a little late getting into the theatre (due to E/B/CST) so we missed the first couple of minutes of the movie. So although I didn't see what happened in the very beginning the movie was designed so that it wasn't necessary. One thing I especially liked about this movie was how, throughout the film, they showed the sequence of events that took place at the '72 Olympics through the reflections of the main character Avner. You watch the metamorphosis of this character who's first motivations where home, family, and nationality turn into a confusion of bitterness and anger towards his enemies, his country, and even himself, finally ending in no motivation and even paranoia. Another interesting theme throughout this film was that of family. The Israeli government convinces Avner that what he must do, is not just for his immediate family, but for all Jews who are part of the same family. Another character, Robert, points out that what unifies the Jews is and separates them from everyone else is that above all they should be righteous and how could what they were doing be righteous? (A loss of the sense of family?) It was a very thought provoking film where the events that inspired it are still playing themselves out in the Middle East. Last night I dreamed I was a Palestinian refugee in Israel, it was a very different point of view to look at things from since I generally view things from the Israeli side.
I definitely recommend this film, with one stipulation. It is rated R, and trust me it's for a reason namely graphic (and I might add realistic) violence, sexual content, nudity, drug content, and language. I would love to dialogue with anyone who has seen the film or just wants to talk about the film so please comment. As always have a good day and enjoy.
2 comments:
Well, Syriana as a film I can definitely see how it can be a bit confusing or fragmented. I think it's partly because the screenplay has a novelesque nature so you start off following like 5 different story lines and it isn't until 2/3 through the movie that you start to see how these various plot strands are actually connected. So for a while it feels like you are watching 5 movies. However there is a running theme through all the plot lines that unifies the entire film.
Mainly that in positions of power there are a few people (namely the eldest sun of the Sheik) who want to do the right thing. Then there are others who feel the need to do the right thing and get manipulated by others i.e. the Pakistani guy who blew up that Connex/Kleen ship along with himself. Then you have all the other key players including the United States gov't vying for power and maninuplating and using people to there own end like George Clooney's character. There actually are a lot of striking similarities between his character and the Pakistani character. They are both working for what they think is right and somehow suffer the consequences.
For the record I cried about 1/3 or the movie and was teary eyed for another 1/2.
Anna,
I got your other comment, but for some reason it hasn't posted. Well trust me Munich is a lot easier to follow as far as the plot line is concerned although there are a lot of underlying subplots that they explore as well.
Post a Comment