Hardly an Olympian Feat

Rating: Null/10 (7 February 2006)

'Munich' has managed, it seems, to offend just about everyone in the Middle East. The Islamic world finds it's representation of the Black September team who murdered the 1972 Israeli Olympic squad superficial, and it's understanding of the underlying issues which led to that act and it's bloody reprisals equally scant. The Israelis are outraged that their actions in retaliation for the Munich killings should be subject to ethical scrutiny. Both sides have their say, and the zealous defence of tribal territories is clearly established as the principal motivation for all concerned. But  and, given that the narrative is told from the perspective of the Israelis this is hardly surprising  it is a largely one-sided story.
Oddly, it's not this which prevents this from being a serious discussion of continuing . divisions in Middle Eastern relationships. Eric Bana, as Avner - the leader of the unofficial Mossad squad dispatched to terminate those he is informed by his masters are responsible for the Munich killings  gives a nicely layered performance as the patriot dispirited and dehumanised by his own deadly endeavours, and if the film works at all it is greatly due to him. His gradual realisation that he is an instrument of political manipulation, that some of his actions may lack righteous justification provides what moral debate exists within the piece, after all. No, what undermines the film is Spielberg's uncertainty as to whether he is conducting a personal, political debate or making an action-movie  as each action of Bana's team is, essentially, a dynamic little set piece. A more reflective, polemical piece may not have been so attractive proposition for the studiobut it would, I think, have made for a more stimulating piece of cinema.
Supporting performances are generally good, particularly Daniel Craig's Semitic zealot and Valeria Tedeschi as Bana's wife. Geoffrey Rush is rather disappointing as our hero's Mossad spymaster: a surprisingly stilted and unsubtle effort. The best, and most understated supporting turn comes from the always reliable Michael Lonsdale. Always worth watching, and a performer with genuine presence and seemingly effortless on-screen authority.