Operation Finale (B or 3/4 stars)
'Operation Finale' (directed by Chris Weitz) is a drama/thriller based on the true story of a manhunt for one of the Nazis' top "architects" of the Holocaust, Adolf Eichmann. Thought dead in the mayhemic ending of WWII, Eichmann (Sir Ben Kingsley) had been working/living with his wife, Vera (Greta Scacchi) & his sons for 15 yrs. post-WWII in a countryside suburb of Buenos Aires, Argentina. His oldest son, Klaus (Joe Alwyn, of Billy Flynn's Halftime Walk), develops a relationship with an attractive young woman, Sylvia (Haley Lu Richardson), whom he does not yet realize is Jewish. She recognizes his last name though and, subsequently meets his nefarious father, who has been living as one, Ricardo Klement.
Sylvia reports this and, when it's decided that Klement is, in fact, Adolf Eichmann, a top-secret team led by Rafi Eitan (Nick Kroll), including tireless Mossad agent Peter Malkin (a great Oscar Isaac) & his love interest/the accompanying doctor, Hanna (Melanie Laurent, so good in '09's Inglourious Basterds), is sent-off to Argentina. There, they must not only identify, stalk, abduct & sedate Eichmann, but hold him for a period of time until he can be safely & covertly transported back to Israel to stand public trial. But a delay arises and, in order to secure a plane back home, they must get Eichmann's signature on a letter of agreement. Malkin engages in an intense game of cat-&-mouse with Eichmann; putting everything at risk. And when the Nazi-sympathizing Argentine authorities stumble upon a clue to Eichmann's whereabouts, drama & tension ensues even more.
So 'Operation Finale' is solid as a rock; reminding me of the similar The Debt a few yr.'s back. It's engaging, well-crafted & well-acted. Now director Chris Weitz softens the edges of this true story a bit, but that provides for a more familiar Hollywood drama/thriller template that works well; without having to demean the central events. It's also less grim than it could have been, allowing for a more palatable PG-13 rating {avoiding overtly horrific depictions of the Holocaust}. Script writer Matthew Orton begins 'Operation Finale' with an unrelated incident that establishes Peter Malkin as an unorthodox, somewhat dangerous/edgy rebel.
Oscar Isaac smolders & simmers as the heroic, but troubled Peter Malkin. He's a great protagonist to follow, and just a fantastic actor, in general. Ben Kingsley plays Eichmann as a man who is guilty & monstrous {responsible for so much ruthless death & destruction}, but who's also disarming & more complex than we think. His scenes with Oscar Isaac has an electricity about them as they intellectually & emotionally weave & bob in an effort to come to some version of the 'truth', and allow for that document to be signed. It is crucial that the guileful Malkin not let his feelings interfere with his interrogation of Eichmann, and watching Oscar Isaac go through those ups & downs is a big part of the suspense.
Though some liberties were surely taken here, the script rings true on almost every level (writer Matthew Orton's father was a German-Jewish immigrant). I mentioned earlier the stellar craftwork on display. Smooth editing, authentic period detail, & Alexandre Desplat's arresting music. And again, I like that while Eichmann was deserving of his eventual fate {convicted of crimes against humanity & executed}, this movie doesn't make him out to be some frothing-at-the-mouth villain. The film is at its best when depicting the psychological elements about how the characters cope with being in such close proximity to a calm monster, and keeping their own cool to complete their daring task. Thumbs up for the well-constructed, thoughtful 'Operation Finale'.
Sylvia reports this and, when it's decided that Klement is, in fact, Adolf Eichmann, a top-secret team led by Rafi Eitan (Nick Kroll), including tireless Mossad agent Peter Malkin (a great Oscar Isaac) & his love interest/the accompanying doctor, Hanna (Melanie Laurent, so good in '09's Inglourious Basterds), is sent-off to Argentina. There, they must not only identify, stalk, abduct & sedate Eichmann, but hold him for a period of time until he can be safely & covertly transported back to Israel to stand public trial. But a delay arises and, in order to secure a plane back home, they must get Eichmann's signature on a letter of agreement. Malkin engages in an intense game of cat-&-mouse with Eichmann; putting everything at risk. And when the Nazi-sympathizing Argentine authorities stumble upon a clue to Eichmann's whereabouts, drama & tension ensues even more.
So 'Operation Finale' is solid as a rock; reminding me of the similar The Debt a few yr.'s back. It's engaging, well-crafted & well-acted. Now director Chris Weitz softens the edges of this true story a bit, but that provides for a more familiar Hollywood drama/thriller template that works well; without having to demean the central events. It's also less grim than it could have been, allowing for a more palatable PG-13 rating {avoiding overtly horrific depictions of the Holocaust}. Script writer Matthew Orton begins 'Operation Finale' with an unrelated incident that establishes Peter Malkin as an unorthodox, somewhat dangerous/edgy rebel.
Oscar Isaac smolders & simmers as the heroic, but troubled Peter Malkin. He's a great protagonist to follow, and just a fantastic actor, in general. Ben Kingsley plays Eichmann as a man who is guilty & monstrous {responsible for so much ruthless death & destruction}, but who's also disarming & more complex than we think. His scenes with Oscar Isaac has an electricity about them as they intellectually & emotionally weave & bob in an effort to come to some version of the 'truth', and allow for that document to be signed. It is crucial that the guileful Malkin not let his feelings interfere with his interrogation of Eichmann, and watching Oscar Isaac go through those ups & downs is a big part of the suspense.
Though some liberties were surely taken here, the script rings true on almost every level (writer Matthew Orton's father was a German-Jewish immigrant). I mentioned earlier the stellar craftwork on display. Smooth editing, authentic period detail, & Alexandre Desplat's arresting music. And again, I like that while Eichmann was deserving of his eventual fate {convicted of crimes against humanity & executed}, this movie doesn't make him out to be some frothing-at-the-mouth villain. The film is at its best when depicting the psychological elements about how the characters cope with being in such close proximity to a calm monster, and keeping their own cool to complete their daring task. Thumbs up for the well-constructed, thoughtful 'Operation Finale'.