Talky - Give us Credit, Steven

Rating: 7/10 (26 December 2005)

This film takes on a serious issue and one that Spielberg is obviously passionate about. At its weakest, it's preachy and excessively talky, not simply giving us something to think about -- the entire film does that -- but instead pushing us in particular ways and assuming we won't get it. At its best, it lets us, the audience, do the important work, such as weighing the morality of revenge when it seems to be costing much, much more than the bargained for price, or drawing lines, such as when is it "terrorism" and when is it "making a point"? The performances are quite good (it was fun seeing "Hector" and "Gaius Julius Caesar" working on the same team!).