For reasons unknown, I chose to take a chance on this one and was quite humbled. Let me be 100% clear here in saying that I most certainly was not in the demographic with which this film likely intended.
1. SCRIPT:
Don't be deceived fellow viewers; this movie is very much both drama and suspense. And nothing more. But that's OK!
A Holocaust Denier from the United Kingdom represents himself in court to disprove the tragedy ever took place. A young Jewish American activist willingly takes it upon herself to go to court for the sake of history as well as Jewish people everywhere.
2. CAST:
I enjoyed Rachel Weisz performance. Probably her most recent work in the 2015 Italian hit "Youth" comes to mind. Denial has shown Weisz is more than capable of carrying a motion picture on her own!
Timothy Spall plays the elder protagonist. With a healthy body of exemplary supporting performances, Denial has been no exception.
Tom Wilkinson is another strong addition to the cast, portraying a widely successful British lawyer named Richard Rampton, his performance quickly stole the show.
3. FINAL THOUGHT:
The material felt real and very tastefully done. Instead of hating Spall's character, I found myself feeling sorry for him. I sympathized as to the likelihood of just how truly awful a childhood some must have had to make such appalling claims.
The directors apparently have given a lot of thought into this film. This movie avoids the temptation to let the emotionally charged content dictate its direction. Smartly, they didn't get lost in the horrific details of what took place (because everyone knows just how awful it was AND many movies have done a great job covering this aspect).
It's always a good sign when the credits roll and your mind begins to reflect on what just took place over the last 109 minutes. I urge everyone to give it a chance. I enjoyed this one.
----- 7/10 STARS -------- Review by Searsino -----
1. SCRIPT:
Don't be deceived fellow viewers; this movie is very much both drama and suspense. And nothing more. But that's OK!
A Holocaust Denier from the United Kingdom represents himself in court to disprove the tragedy ever took place. A young Jewish American activist willingly takes it upon herself to go to court for the sake of history as well as Jewish people everywhere.
2. CAST:
I enjoyed Rachel Weisz performance. Probably her most recent work in the 2015 Italian hit "Youth" comes to mind. Denial has shown Weisz is more than capable of carrying a motion picture on her own!
Timothy Spall plays the elder protagonist. With a healthy body of exemplary supporting performances, Denial has been no exception.
Tom Wilkinson is another strong addition to the cast, portraying a widely successful British lawyer named Richard Rampton, his performance quickly stole the show.
3. FINAL THOUGHT:
The material felt real and very tastefully done. Instead of hating Spall's character, I found myself feeling sorry for him. I sympathized as to the likelihood of just how truly awful a childhood some must have had to make such appalling claims.
The directors apparently have given a lot of thought into this film. This movie avoids the temptation to let the emotionally charged content dictate its direction. Smartly, they didn't get lost in the horrific details of what took place (because everyone knows just how awful it was AND many movies have done a great job covering this aspect).
It's always a good sign when the credits roll and your mind begins to reflect on what just took place over the last 109 minutes. I urge everyone to give it a chance. I enjoyed this one.
----- 7/10 STARS -------- Review by Searsino -----