Spielberg's masterpiece

Rating: 10/10 (19 April 2020)

Steven Spielberg Schindler's List is an emotionally powerful, visually striking and important motion picture. The dramatized real life exploits of German businessman Oskar Schindler is handled exceptionally well by Spielberg. Instead of explaining the motives of Schindler change of heart, through unnecessary and potentially overtly sentimental scenes, he gives us a man that is an enigma. Liam Neeson, for his part gives a nuanced and career defining performance. Ben Kingsley is terrific as Itzhak Stern and Ralph Fiennes is terrifying as the sadistic SS Commandant Amon Goeth. Here is a film that is both horrific and hopeful. A film that shows us what human beings are capable of at their worst and best. From a technical and storytelling standpoint, Schindler's List is first-rate filmmaking. A gripping and haunting work of art.