Langella/Howard...

Rating: 10/10 (2 May 2009)

The last thing in the world I wanted to see was yet another whitewashed version of history extolling the dubious virtues of one of the most contemptuous war criminals to ever govern this nation. (The mere thought that there's a plaque on the Moon bearing this man's name is all the reason I need to hope and pray that some other country makes it there soon and brings that piece of junk back here where it belongs.) But this isn't propaganda: it's Cinema, and the Actor's Art at its highest level. Langella and director Ron Howard rise above the man and give him what in Life he most lacked: a Heart, and a Soul. Langella's performance is unforgettably moving and Howard's direction is at its sharpest ever (well, close: I still think that Cinderella MAN is one of the greatest movies ever lensed; even better, overall, than this one- and that's saying a lot). See this one because Langella and Howard are actually able to make one of the 20th century's vilest political leaders sympathetic through consummate cinematic sleight of hand.