 |
 |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
 |
|
|
|
 email this review to a friend
Few films have affected as deeply or as profoundly as Schindler's List. It is the best Holocaust movie ever made. The Holocaust, arguably the greatest crime of the last century, really only provides a backdrop for the study of two sides of human nature, the good, portrayed by Schindler, and the bad, portrayed by Amon Goeth, the penultimate representation of the insanity and barbarity of the Nazi regime and its anti-Jewish policies. Not to say Schindler is a hero right from the start. He is a profiteer of Jewish slave labor. He moves into an apartment in Poland recently emptied of its Jewish inhabitants. He is a greedy womanizer who repeatedly cheats on his devoted and loving wife. Yet, despite his flaws, he witnesses the brutal liquidation of the Cracow ghetto, and eventually decides to use his money to buy the lives of his workers, whom he takes back to Czechoslovakia, where they stay until the war is over, saved from Hitler's murderous clutches. The black-and-white cinematography is gorgeous, evocative, authentic, it is impossible to argue with Spielberg's decision to film the movie in this way. The distubing, often senseless violence provides a raw and uninhibited glimpse at the fundamental principles of genocide. The lives of Jews in ghettos are suitably hopeless, and the camp scenes are unnerving and poignant, though there are never any gas chambers to be seen. Just chimneys that spew ash that falls on the surrounding area like snow. It is all totally absorbing. Liam Neeson, as Schindler, gives the best performance of his career. He is charming and charismatic, using bribery and corruption to get what he wants, whether from Goeth or another Nazi official. Schindler is a complex character, someone who morphs from opportunist to hero, and has a powerful scene near the end, derided by some as being overly manipulative, in which he comes to terms with the gravity of his realization that he could have saved more people. Thunderous sobs emanate from Neeson, who at times, sounds like he is laughing, but it certainly looks and feels genuine. Then, at the very end, we see the Schindler survivors, who come to Schindler's grave, accompanied by their families and the actors who played them. This scene was overwhelming for me when I first saw it, and still is now, though I have watched it many times. Ralph Fiennes, as Goeth is savage and unforgettable. He is obsessed with power and cruelty, disgusted at himself for falling in love with his Jewish housemaid, and shooting Jews from the balcony of his estate. Mercy is something he has no real concept of. It is rare to find a more detestable villain, but even so, Goeth is not simply one-dimensional, though he is certainly not as complicated as Schindler when it comes to his motives and personality. Ben Kingsley is wonderful as Stern, the accountant who helps Schindler build up his business and works with him to compile the list of names. It is an understated role, one that Kingsley plays with simple sincerity, and instantly earns our respect and sympathy, as he navigates trecherous waters, and puts himself at risk to rescue his fellow Jews. The supporting caset is impeccable, especially Embeth Davidtz as Helen Hirsch, the object of Goeth's twisted infatuation, and Caroline Goodall, as Emilie Schindler. Spielberg proved with this film that he had extraordinary talent, and could make things other than entertaining blockbusters like Jaws or Jurassic Park. It is a towering achievement, and the best film of his career. The score by John Williams is beautiful and moving, especially the main theme, played to perfection by Itzhak Perlman, the renowned violinist. It ranks among the top ten on AFI's list, and has been heralded as one of the best movies of the entire 90s decade. It won 7 Oscars, including Best Picture and Director. No one can argue with these well-deserved accolades. email this review to a friend
Comment on this Review:
 Subscribe to MatchFlick Movie Reviews through RSS |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
RSS | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | About MatchFlick® | Press | Contact Us | FAQs
Partnership and Advertising Opportunities | Movie Database | Merchandise ©2004-2008 MatchFlick®. All rights reserved. ©MOVIE IMAGES ARE COPYRIGHT PROTECTED AND THE PROPERTY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS |