"A Most Wanted Man" (2014 release; 121 min.) is the big screen adaptation of the John Le Carre novel of the same name. As the movie opens, we see some guy entering the port of Hamburg, Germany in a covert way. We later learn he is Issa, an alleged jihadist who has fled Chechnya, Russia for fear of prosecution. In a parallel story line, we get to know Gunther Bachmann (played by Philip Seymour Hoffman), who heads an anti-terror unit in the German security forces. Gunther and his colleague Erna (played by Nina Hoss) are quickly on the trail of Issa. Meanwhile, through mutual connections, Issa is put in touch with Annabel Richter (played by Rachel McAdams), a lawyer defending the causes of asylum seekers. To tell you more of the story would spoil your viewing experience of this plot-heavy movie, you'll just have to see for yourself how it all plays out.
Couple of comments: first, this is the latest movie from Dutch director Anton Corbijn, best known for his extensive visual design and video work for Depeche Mode and other bands. He also brought us "Control", the biopic about Joy Division's Ian Curtis. In this film, he stays more in the direction of his most recent film, "The American" (starring George Clooney). As you can expect, the visuals in "A Most Wanted Man" are given plenty of attention and detail. Hamburg (the city) is as much a character in the movie as are the key performers. Second, the movie itself works quite well. Compared to the previous John Le Carre adaptation for the big screen, 2011's disastrous "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy", this movie is a masterpiece, albeit not without flaws. The movie keeps us guessing for much of the time as to what really is going on (primarily: is Issa ultimately a "good" guy or a "bad" guy?), and that keeps the tension of the movie up (n a good way). Third, this movie is, sadly, best known for being one of the very last on screen performances of Philip Seymour Hoffman. He does his usual great work, even with the funny faux German accent, but I have to say that he does not look well or at ease. The (literally) non-stop smoking during the entire movie surely does not help. There are quite a few other to take note of: Willem Dafoe as the (sleazy? good?) banker, Robin Wright as the American Embassy envoye, Rachel McAdams as the well-intended asylum lawyer, and last but certainly not least, Nina Hoss as Gunther's colleague. She is in my humble opinion one of Europe's top actresses of this generation, with such recent films as "Barbara", "Yerichow" and "Yella". Hoss brings a much needed spark to "A Most Wanted Man". Finally, there is a nice orchestral score for this movie, composed by German musician Herbert Grönemeyer.
The movie came out 3 weeks or so ago here in Cincinnati but for whatever reason I didn't get to see it until now. Imagine my surprise that the matinée screening where I saw this at this weekend was very well attended. Mostly an older audience I might add. I surmise that this being a John Le Carre adaptation plays a huge factor in people coming to check this movie out. Bottom line: "A Most Wanted Man" is a satisfactory spy-thriller with several stellar acting performances, in particular Philip Deymour Hoffman and Nina Hoss. "A Most Wanted Man" is definitely worth checking out, be it in the theater or on DVD/Bly-ray.
Couple of comments: first, this is the latest movie from Dutch director Anton Corbijn, best known for his extensive visual design and video work for Depeche Mode and other bands. He also brought us "Control", the biopic about Joy Division's Ian Curtis. In this film, he stays more in the direction of his most recent film, "The American" (starring George Clooney). As you can expect, the visuals in "A Most Wanted Man" are given plenty of attention and detail. Hamburg (the city) is as much a character in the movie as are the key performers. Second, the movie itself works quite well. Compared to the previous John Le Carre adaptation for the big screen, 2011's disastrous "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy", this movie is a masterpiece, albeit not without flaws. The movie keeps us guessing for much of the time as to what really is going on (primarily: is Issa ultimately a "good" guy or a "bad" guy?), and that keeps the tension of the movie up (n a good way). Third, this movie is, sadly, best known for being one of the very last on screen performances of Philip Seymour Hoffman. He does his usual great work, even with the funny faux German accent, but I have to say that he does not look well or at ease. The (literally) non-stop smoking during the entire movie surely does not help. There are quite a few other to take note of: Willem Dafoe as the (sleazy? good?) banker, Robin Wright as the American Embassy envoye, Rachel McAdams as the well-intended asylum lawyer, and last but certainly not least, Nina Hoss as Gunther's colleague. She is in my humble opinion one of Europe's top actresses of this generation, with such recent films as "Barbara", "Yerichow" and "Yella". Hoss brings a much needed spark to "A Most Wanted Man". Finally, there is a nice orchestral score for this movie, composed by German musician Herbert Grönemeyer.
The movie came out 3 weeks or so ago here in Cincinnati but for whatever reason I didn't get to see it until now. Imagine my surprise that the matinée screening where I saw this at this weekend was very well attended. Mostly an older audience I might add. I surmise that this being a John Le Carre adaptation plays a huge factor in people coming to check this movie out. Bottom line: "A Most Wanted Man" is a satisfactory spy-thriller with several stellar acting performances, in particular Philip Deymour Hoffman and Nina Hoss. "A Most Wanted Man" is definitely worth checking out, be it in the theater or on DVD/Bly-ray.