The Debt

[Beate]

I can't find a thread for this. I nearly saw this tonight and I know a few FMUKers went so would anyone care to review it please?

[prettyxcool]

Thanks Beate. Was just looking for a thread for this!

Here it is.

The Frontline Media Club has it owns door from the street, next door to the Frontline restaurant, leading up to a really nice gentlemen's feel bar, leather sofas and seats and big wooden tables, and lots of books on shelves and film paraphernalia in glass cabinets. Further up another flight to the screening room, with another bar. Wooden chairs filled the screening room, and one row of wooden benches at the back with cushioned seating, which we promptly sat on to get the most comfort! My view was not obscured so a good seat and a big screen. Saw cliveas come in and eventually hopeprince, poor thing, was stuck in traffic as there had been a traffic accident, so missed the producer introducing the film and about 15 minutes of film, which was mostly taken place in the present, just in time for the flashback, so I whispered a quick word in her ear to get her up to speed. Was told by the producer, film was just released in the States last week and was received well, which he seemed surprised by. It will be released here on 30 September.

Thought it was an extremely well acted spy thriller from the younger cast and, obviously, Helen Mirren. Lots of tension in the flashbacks to the 1960s Berlin, and the suspense and drama builds up across the two periods, but I felt a little unsatisfied, as the ending felt contrived and some of the story seems implausible. 7/10

[TheyCallMeMrGlass]

This was one of the secret screenings at the Empire Big Screen which myself, funthing and Soonforgotten saw. Everyone else was watching Fright Night. We all reviewed it on that Big Screen thread but yeah, PXC, I thought the same thing for the film but I'm not as harsh about the ending as you are. 7/10 would be my rating too :)

[a_person]

but I'm not as harsh about the ending as you are. 7/10 would be my rating too :)

I think she's normally quite easy-going on movies!

[hopeprince]

Today was just filled with bad luck. I am just glad it wasn't a very complicated film because I got the hang of it even though I missed the first 15mins of the beginning. Thanks to prettyxcool for the short summery when I came in and for saving me a seat. Lost of subtitles so had to move my head to see because of the abnormally tall guy in front of me. I have to agree with prettyxcool about feeling unsatisfied on some parts. Some scenes has your heart racing but they don't reach that climax. Great acting from Jesper Christensen, Helen Mirren and Jessica Chastain. Interesting moral dilemma but I do in a way wish the ending was a bit different. 6.5/10

[prettyxcool]

ooh, I forgot to mention last night, that the producer said when they made the film three years ago the younger actors were unknown back then! Watch out for Jessica Chastain (who played the young Helen Mirren) in the forthcoming The Help, and I also saw her in the Tree of Life, Brad's wife!

[tarantinoed]

I saw it last November in the School's National Film Week and thought it was a good film but agree about the ending being a little contrived (although satisfying in terms of completeness). I thought the character of the Nazi was really well-drawn e.g. his concern for his wife, his psychological manipulations and especially when he explained why in his view the Jews deserved death (chilling but thought-provoking).

[funthing29]

I saw this at Empire Big Screen and I quite liked it. The acting is excellent, especially Jessica Chastain and Jesper Christensen. Sam Worthington shows more range here than I've seen from him in any of his other roles - his acting is more exposed since there is not much action or fight scenes. However I did find Ciarán Hinds a strange choice to play his elder self. It is impossible for Helen Mirren to play a bad role so no surprise she performs well here.

I really liked the pacing of the film. I found it quite gripping and the suspense is maintained throughout the film. I do agree that the ending doesn't sit right so the film didn't have the most satisfactory climax.

I can't remember if I rated it when I saw it last month. From my memory of the film, I give it 8/10.

[soonforgotten]

I really should have written a review for this sooner. I guess I was holding out for the off-hand chance of seeing it again. Writing this is also a good reminder for how useful it is to take notes during the film, as I saw this before I began doing so. Yikes! Anyway, here it is: http://wp.me/p1LZHn-65

[Beate]

http://www.viewlondon.co.uk/films/the-d ... 37137.html?