Not bad, but not great

Rating: 7/10 (14 November 2008)

Went to a preview screening last night, and admittedly rather overdid the free booze, but found myself slightly disappointed by the film. Bits of it were beautifully shot, but not all, and overall I found that it was all rather diluted. But the story was rather glossed over, and I found myself not really caring all that much about the characters. However, it was well acted. Daniel Craig's accent only slipped a couple of times. I have to say that I find Zwick's films usually well made but too didactic but this one had little or no message. Maybe I need to mull it over a bit more. Parts of it were certainly moving, and there were people in tears around me, but it lacked the gritty uncomfortable realism of Schindler's List, and was all tied up a little too easily. The script is pretty good, but you do not get a real sense of suffering or fear of the Jews being forced to hide out in the woods for all that time. Worth watching, but not amazing. Ho hum. Maybe I expect too much from these things. I should get some more coffee.