my thoughts on Munich

Rating: 9/10 (27 August 2006)

There are a number of things that I love about Munich, and one or two things that I find disappointing. Let's start with the good stuff first.
You could tell Spielberg was passionate about this story. it shows through in every frame. It's rare to find this sort of dedication in Hollywood today. I for one am glad that Spielberg chooses to tell challenging stories that he cares deeply about rather than resting on his laurels.
I love Eric Bana's performance in his movie. There is one point where the character of Louis says I could be anybody, you could as well. Or something like that. Avner literally has to be anybody if he is to carry out his mission. Anybosy aside from who he actually is of course. That this facade takes so long to crack is one of the most interesting things about Avner.
My interpretation of the ending is that Spielberg feels that Isreal should unite Jews, when in the end scene it divides Avner and Efraim. I think that the movie is bitter about this but has hope for that things will be different in the future. I don't think it was an accident that Munich was released during Hannukah.
Now for the stuff I didn't like. I hated the sex scene. I understand the point it was trying to make. But I would that Avner's demons would be his own acts of violence, and not the Munich massacre. I also didn't like the scene in which Avner storms the Isreali consulate and screams at them to leave his family alone. We've scene this kind of scene in dozens of cheesy thrillers, and just for a moment this scene reduces Munich to that level.
But those are relatively minor quibbles. Munich remains not only a stirring and passionate political tale, but also a masterpiece of suspense.