Film No. 49 (2014) July 22nd. 5:00 PM PARADISO Northbridge.
A Most Wanted Man
The saddest aspect to this film, for me was to see Phillip Seymour Hoffman (Gunther Bachmann) disappear from the frame in the final scene as if he knew this exit would be his last. Knowing what we know now; it was his final act. And while that final moment left me stunned I had nothing but admiration for his performance in a slow moving but riveting thriller.
Western Australian born writer Andrew Bovell has adapted the John le Carre novel with great precision, so much so that for many, Hoffman's Bachmann gives a greater presence on screen than as depicted by le Carre. Bovell, no doubt, would feel blessed to have had Hoffman interpret his words. The skill of Anton Corbijn (The American) should not be underestimated either because he has masterminded a classy tale with a brilliant mix of intrigue and tension.
Bachmann (Hoffman) heads up a spy operation in the city of Hamburg. He manipulates smaller "fish" into his net so he might catch larger terrorist "fish" and he and his team are brilliant at what they do. The catch is, under international law, they must not exist. Ultimately they are manipulated by someone either locally or internationally so when an illegal Chechen muslim turns up we gradually learn about how a "crack" team of spies earn their keep.
The cast of A Most Wanted Man is star studded, so much so I'm confused as to why Rachel McAdams (Annabel Richter) with a dodgy accent was cast in the same film as the talented German actor Nina Hoss (Irma Frey). My quibble is minor but I feel McAdams was mis cast, this is made more evident by the towering performances of Hoffman, Hoss and Robin Wright as the American CIA envoy. If only for the work of Hoffman and that final act, don't miss A Most Wanted Man. 10GUMS
Bachmann (Hoffman) heads up a spy operation in the city of Hamburg. He manipulates smaller "fish" into his net so he might catch larger terrorist "fish" and he and his team are brilliant at what they do. The catch is, under international law, they must not exist. Ultimately they are manipulated by someone either locally or internationally so when an illegal Chechen muslim turns up we gradually learn about how a "crack" team of spies earn their keep.
The cast of A Most Wanted Man is star studded, so much so I'm confused as to why Rachel McAdams (Annabel Richter) with a dodgy accent was cast in the same film as the talented German actor Nina Hoss (Irma Frey). My quibble is minor but I feel McAdams was mis cast, this is made more evident by the towering performances of Hoffman, Hoss and Robin Wright as the American CIA envoy. If only for the work of Hoffman and that final act, don't miss A Most Wanted Man. 10GUMS
No comments:
Post a Comment