TIFF Movie Review: The Debt (2010)
Satisfying thriller willing to throw a wrench in the works
Photo: Miramax Films
The Debt traces fictional events taking place in 1965 as three young Mossad agents are charged with the duty of bringing Vogel (Jesper Christensen), a Nazi war criminal referred to as the "Surgeon of Birkenau", to justice. A remake of Assaf Bernstein's 2007 film of the same name, director John Madden (Shakespeare in Love) tells the story of Rachel (Jessica Chastain/Helen Mirren), David (Sam Worthington/Ciaran Hinds) and Josef (Marton Csokas/Tom Wilkinson), covering the details of their mission 30 years ago and how it has changed their lives ever since.
The cast includes Sam Worthington, Helen Mirren, Jessica Chastain, Ciaran Hinds, Tom Wilkinson, Marton Csokas and Jesper Christensen. For more information on this film including pictures, trailers and a detailed synopsis choose from the following menu.
Review
"The Debt" is a Focus Features release, directed by John Madden and is rated R for some violence and language. The running time is 1 hour 53 minutes.
Much of the running time is spent in 1965 Berlin where Rachel, David and Josef are holed up in anticipation of capturing Vogel. Soon, preparation turns to action, and upon Vogel's capture we reach the film's action centerpiece resulting in the story's first major shift, leading up to events that will define the next 30 years of the trio's lives.
As a result of what takes place, the story of their heroics is retold in a book written by Rachel's daughter (Romi Aboulafia) 30 years later. The details of which have a profound effect on the rest of the story.
Playing the younger versions of the three leads, Chastain, Worthington and Csokas serve their characters well, not to mention this is the coming out party for Chastain whose work in Terrence Malick's upcoming Tree of Life is already said to be top notch. She gives a good showing here in a role that is essentially the lead character of the film. She's mirrored by Helen Mirren who plays Rachel 30 years later and the two make for an impressive combination.
Mirren, for that matter, is striking. While playing a retired Mossad agent, Mirren brings a commanding and competent presence to her character. Wilkinson and Csokas's roles are minor in comparison.
Madden directs the film as a straightforward thriller and Thomas Newman's score reinforces this aspect. Despite the fact the film deals with a sadistic murderer from the Nazi regime we are only greeted by a few gruesome images of his "work". Instead the tension is ratcheted up as Rachel must visit Vogel for gynecological examinations in an effort to get close to him. For the most part everything works, up until the loosey-goosey third act.
Mirren, Wilkinson and Csokas get their time on screen for much of the film's finale and it's not a terrible ending to what was a rather good film up to that point, it's just a bit of a letdown. About two-thirds of the way through The Debt hits a turning point and from there nothing new is particularly revealed and the emotional high it reached can't be sustained. This film isn't ruined, but it gets beat down a couple of notches.
For the most part this is a quality thriller that makes good use of flashbacks and flash-forwards — using them to tell the story rather than as a lazy storytelling device. I don't expect The Debt to break down any box-office doors, but those that do show-up for it later this December should walk out satisfied.
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I knew at the very least that this would be a solid thriller.
I'm glad this one turned out well. I do have one question though. Brad you made no mention of Worthington's or Hind's performance. In particular Worthington's. I'm still waiting on a performance from him that shows me that all of this action he's been getting in Hollywood is warranted and I was hoping maybe this would be it.
This should answer your question:
From HitFix: http://www.hitfix.com/blogs/awards-campaign-2009/posts/toronto-helen-mirren-returns-in-the-debt-and-brighton-rock
'Produced and co-written by Matthew Vaughn, it's hands down John Madden's finest directing gig since "Shakespeare in Love." And, it also features great cinematography from Vaughn regular Ben Davis and stellar turns from Chastain (who will be in Terrence Malick's "Tree of Life"), Worthington (best dramatic work to date) and the incomparable Mirren. In fact, for most of the film you have a feel all three are major players in the Oscar race for supporting actor and actress.'
To say this is Worthington's "best dramatic work to date" isn't exactly saying much and I'd argue he's just as good if not better in Last Night.
I'm surprised as well that you made no mention of Sam Worthington, other reviews I've read is that he's very good and his best work since Macbeth and Somersault.
ANOTHER GOOD MOVIE WITH SAM WORTHINGTON?! What the hell is going on?
Brad, could you elaborate on Worthington's performance? My friends and I always joke around about him having the charisma of a doorknob, so I just have to wonder how his acting was in these films.
Brad, I also wanted to hear something about my favorite actor in the world – Ciaran Hinds – does he get much screen time in this movie? I think he is superb in everything I've ever seen him in (which is whatever I can get my hands on – and I wouldn't mind it being him in person). ;+)
He does not get much screen time in this one, but there's a reason for that, but I don't want to say anything more.
the film is a remake of a 2007 Israeli film of the same name. i saw is back then,it was ok.
it had great potential but the execution was lacking,israel doest really have a film industry after all.
This film looks unreal! Can't wait to check it out. Only heard good things and the trailer is exciting.
The movie had a massive mistake in the first few minutes. They show them stepping off a plane in 1966 according to the title on the screen, and yet to the right is a 1978 Buick Sedan with square headlights! It was hard to suspend disbelief after that!
The Picture Car coordinator should have known better. Square headlights weren't put on cars until 1975!