The Debt

Welcome to another episode Lights....Camera....Popcorn!

Today's review is The Debt.

Directed by John Madden.

Written by Matthew Vaughn, Jane Goldman & Peter Straughan.

Based on the film "Ha-Hov" written by Assaf Bernstein & Ido Rosenblum.

Review #135

MPAA Rating: R for some violence and language.

Runtime: 114 min

Cast

Helen Mirren ...Rachel Singer

Tom Wilkinson ...Stephan Gold

Ciarán Hinds ...David Peretz

Jessica Chastain ...Young Rachel

Marton Csokas ...Young Stephan

Sam Worthington ...Young David

Jesper Christensen ...Doktor Bernhardt / Dieter Vogel

Romi Aboulafia ...Sarah Gold

Everyone loves a good spy movie. The really good ones have a little something for everyone. Action, mystery, suspense and even romance. Now if some of you think I'm referring to the James Bond series you would be dead WRONG! I'm leaning more towards the Jason Bourne franchise in this case because those films were smarter and much darker in nature. Then is until Daniel Craig came along and buffed up 007. I truly feel that the infusion of realism to the Bond universe has forced film makers to be more mindful and aggressive when it comes to spy films. That philosophy is clearly employed here and it works triumphantly.

Plot


The espionage thriller begins in 1997, as shocking news reaches retired Mossad secret agents Rachel  and Stefan about their former colleague David. All three have been venerated for decades by their country because of the mission that they undertook back in 1966, when the trio tracked down Nazi war criminal Vogel in East Berlin. At great risk, and at considerable personal cost, the team's mission was accomplished - or was it? 

There's so much to love with this film I don't know where to start. So I'll begin at the most logical place. If you're not into this film at the very start then you're not ever going to be into it. The tension grabs you from the first frame. This is also magnified by the wonderful editing of the film. The Debt several times takes you back from their present time to their youth in very clever ways. The balance is pretty even between era's. Then when a critical story point comes up you come back to their younger selves while on the mission. The bulk of the story takes place in this time and it's well paced and crafted. especially when they carry out their mission. It reminded me of the precision used in the film Munich. One of Spielberg's underrated films in my opinion and one of my favorites of his.

Now Munich is based on actual events and The Debt isn't but it carries a strong amount of plausibility that makes you believe that the story could have actually happened. Plus it goes to great lengths to show us how legit and tactical The Mossad can be. Then the story goes a little Hollywood after Vogel is captured. Held prisoner, the old Nazi indulges in some rather intense anti-Semitic mind games, which Christensen enacts with creepy conviction. Confronted in the flesh with this monster, the three agents end up making a fateful decision that haunts them every waking minute of their lives. But the way that it wears and tears on them, as the years go on, isn't nearly as compelling as the more present-tense, procedural parts of the movie. 

It's here that The Debt regains it's mojo. Not that it ever really lost it but when the film reaches it's conclusion the tension returns and keeps it's hold on you until the very end. This is mostly achieved by the wonderful performances by the 2 female leads. Chastain who by the way has built an impressive resume in 2011 with Terrence Malik's Tree of Life, The Help and now The Debt. Her range is stepping out into the fore front putting her into potential elite class. Her turn as Rachel sets up what we see later on. And speaking of elite class who better to play your older self than the Queen. Helen Mirren is one of the GREATEST performers of our time and she turns in a magnificent performance here. She balances civilian life with the ultimate reminder that no matter how long it's been your Mossad training never gets old. 

You'll see what I mean about that.

All told The Debt is a very smart, entertaining spy thriller that in its booby-trapped way, poses an arresting question.  In a place that's as haunted by history as Israel is, can a lie ever really serve to prop up a larger truth? 

The movie demonstrates, compellingly, why the answer is no.

On the 5 star scale. The Debt gets the full house 5 stars with a "Worth Every Penny" recommendation.

That's a wrap for today. Up next is Shark Night 3D. Yeah you read that right.


Until Next Episode...."I'll Save You A Seat!"


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