A MOST WANTED MAN (2014)

Genre: Thriller
Director: Anton Corbijn
Cast: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Rachel McAdams, Willem Dafoe, Robin Wright, Grigory Dobrygin, Nina Hoss, Daniel Brühl
RunTime: 2 hrs 2 mins
Rating: NC-16 (Some Mature Content)
Released By: Cathay-Keris Films
Official Website: http://amostwantedmanmovie.com

Opening Day: 14 August 2014

Synopsis: When a half-Chechen, half-Russian, brutally tortured immigrant turns up in Hamburg’s Islamic community, laying claim to his father’s ill-gotten fortune, both German and US security agencies take a close interest: as the clock ticks down and the stakes rise, the race is on to establish this most wanted man’s true identity - oppressed victim or destruction-bent extremist? Based on John le Carré's novel, A MOST WANTED MAN is a contemporary, cerebral tale of intrigue, love, rivalry, and politics that prickles with tension right through to its last heart-stopping scene.

Movie Review: 

Throughout the 122 minutes of this movie, one can’t help but constantly think about the great Philip Seymour Hoffman’s passing in February. The 46 year old American actor plays a world weary intelligence officer, a cynical man whose job has taken over his life, a messed up human being who doesn’t seem to find joy. This last feature role of Hoffman’s is hauntingly close to what he seemed to be like in his last days, and one wonders whether this is why the Academy Award winning actor (Capote) seems to be perfect for this role.

Based on the 2008 John le Carre novel, the story sees Hoffman’s German officer Gunther Bachmann being involved in an international dealing. It started when a half Chechen, half Russian and brutally tortured immigrant shows up in Hamburg's Islamic community, claiming that he owns his father’s fortune. This sparks off a complicated series of events involving lawyers, bankers and American intel forces. Is this man a true victim of oppression, or is he an extremist to be punished by law? Or are these questions even relevant in this day and age where concealing the truth may be a greater good for the human race?

This isn’t your usual popcorn thriller movie: director Anton Corbijn (The American, Control) employs long silences, talky conversations, dense plotting and greyly defined characters to illustrate le Carre’s tension filled world of intrigue, love, rivalry and politics. There is paranoia and fear throughout the movie, and you wonder what bureaucratic spied would resort to for, in the movie’s own words, make the world a safer place. Often, when nothing consequential happens on screen, you get a dreaded feeling that something gloomily terrible will take place.

Besides Hoffman, the director has a superb supporting cast to work with - Robin Wright as an American counterpart, Willem Dafoe as a shady banker and Rachel McAdams as a hopeful lawyer. But it is clear this is Hoffman’s show. You see his desperate attempt to make things right, his frantic need to regain normalcy, and the eventual hopeless helplessness that leaves your makes your heart stop momentarily in the last scene. In fact, the impact is so strong that you’ll leave the theatre wondering what how reality is defined in this messed up society of ours.

The drama is low-key and pain versus gain is wonderfully explored. The cold grey of the Germany’s Hamburgpermeates this film, just as Le Carre's bleak view of the world of spying underlies the plot. Towering over the recommended movie are the cast’s performances. Sure, you see Hoffman chain smoking, drinking, sulking and speaking in his signature deep voice for a large part of the movie, but you know he is aware of life’s pitfalls. The screenplay by Australian Andrew Bovell with cinematography by Benoit Delhomme complements the story perfectly.

This movie will be loved by art house devotees, and probably shunned by James Bond fans. It is no doubt a spy and espionage thriller, but appreciate its slow burning tension and you’ll be rewarded handsomely. 

Movie Rating:

(This slow burning drama with a brilliant performance by Philip Seymour Hoffman will have you reflecting on how the world has messed itself up)

Review by John Li