Amazing story, decent movie.

Rating: 6/10 (3 January 2009)

Colonel Stauffenberg's plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler extends well beyond the limitations of any Hollywood film. It is a source of great pride for many Germans, telling the story of few standing up to many in the face of daunting odds. 'Valkyrie', in the hands of a capable director such as Bryan Singer, could and should have been much better. But as it stands, this latest Tom Cruise vehicle is at the very least a decent and relatively entertaining attempt to retell a fascinating moment in history.
The most impressive aspect about 'Valkyrie' is, despite us knowing the outcome even before walking into the theater, its ability to build enough tension that for a few brief moments we may actually believe that Stauffenberg and his men will actually succeed in their mission. It has to be the biggest strength for this picture, anything less than convincing would have been an utter failure. I knew very little about the July 20th plot going into the film, and I can honestly say I was staggered at how far the plot advanced and how close these men came to succeeding.
Tom Cruise may actually receive more awards consideration for his bizarre turn in 'Tropic Thunder' than his portrayal as the national hero in 'Valkyrie'. Though that shouldn't undercut what is an otherwise okay performance. A bit stiff, but he's far from being the distraction many feared. Performances from the entire cast are rather solid, and the choice to cast mostly English actors may seem strange, but it really doesn't take us out of the movie or become anything problematic. Kenneth Branagh, Bill Nighy, Tom Wilkinson, Eddie Izzard, and Jamie Parker all fit into their roles nicely to provide 'Valkyrie' a sturdy supporting cast.
Ultimately, 'Valkyrie' never quite resonates as the profound historical thriller it aspires to be. The script never goes nearly as deep as I would have liked, we're given little access to background information that may have allowed the film to resonate much more strongly. Bryan Singer's typical character driven approach never fully resonates, leaving something to be desired in the emotional department. But as it stands, a fine editing job helps the good outweigh the bad. This is an amazing story on its own right, even if it doesn't translate to a great film. 'Valkyrie' reminds us that moral responsibility should never be sacrificed for personal gain. That even when death is almost certain, it is not failure. An intriguing and important history lesson, no doubt.
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