Being Human

Rating: 8/10 (11 September 2015)

It is Spielberg's correct decision to allow characters to supersede, or at least equate to, the story itself. Not with many films you can boast that "no understanding of characters, no story". This story is one of the most intriguing ones ever filmed. But the revealing quality is even superior. From the very first scene of some Olympics athletes ignorantly helping the would-be assassins to enter the compound and subsequently executed their horrific mission, we see human faces reflecting heartiness, positiveness, deep hatred, and incredible self-absorption. The following scenes are nothing but human hearts driving the film. The script by Tony Kushner and Eric Roth should be remembered as one of the best. It attempts to tell a murky and morally ambivalent story and turns it into clarity. The final conversation between Avner and Ephraim is perhaps the only one with intentional unclear message. His "no" to breaking bread is a simply a bureaucratic way of handling such an issue, or a deep sense of disappointment and disdain? Broadly speaking, we know which direction the Jewish Steven Spielberg would lean towards. We saw "Schindler's List" and his numerous interview of guilt complex as a Jew who did too little for fellow Jews. However, he daringly made this film to be an anti-hero story. A great doubt of an eye to an eye approach of life and religion is clearly exhibited. But there is nothing that the Israelis and Jews in general can complain about. On top of all that, "Munich" is an intensely exciting film to watch. Colourful and watchable. No dull moment. All words spoken are with a purpose. Political thrillers do not usually come out any better.