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Rachel, (Helen Mirren), David (Ciaron Hinds) and Stephan (Tom Wilkinson) are three retired Mossad agents who are known as patriotic heroes in Israel for hunting down the Nazi “surgeon of Birkenhau” Josef Mengele (played by Jesper Christensen). In 1997 Rachel’s daughter publishes a book regarding the exploits and tensions of the mission, the three reunite and look back at how much of a success the mission actually was. The story is told via flashbacks with young Helen, David and Stephan (Jessica Chastain, Marton Csoakas and Sam Worthington). Are they really heroes? Or just part of a cover up?
The Debt is a tense, high paced film with plenty of twists and turns. It is an English version of Ha-Hov (2007), an Isreali film that was never released in the UK. It deals with the guilt that the three main characters have to suffer with, after a cover up made them into heroes of Israel. In this case The Debt proves to be a solid, gripping, and intense crime thriller that deals with morality, and the conscience of the lead characters.
The plot provides a complex interweaving between the past characters and the present which, although making the story interesting, can sometimes confuse viewers as the younger characters do not much resemble their older counterparts, other than Rachel’s scar which is continuous. The transition also slows the plot down, but overall the film packs a strong ethical punch to those who are watching it, and hopes you ignore these minor issues. The cinematography of Berlin in 1966 is beautifully shot and is worth seeing just for this historical glimpse.
The acting does not disappoint either, with all actors providing stellar performances. Although the same problem crops up with Mirren that did in Brighton Rock and Red; how is she supposed to keep her upper class demeanor that she was so renowned for in The Queen? Yes, as usual Mirren gets down and dirty in an all action role.
Though the guilt and shame issued is dealt with in great depth and very carefully by Madden (Shakespeare in Love), but it seems slightly unnecessary to involve a love triangle as it doesn’t add a great amount to the plot, and is put in clunkily to fill up vacuums; however it softens the intensity of the film and makes it more relatable if not predictable. However when the love tale is subtracted from the film it is an interesting thriller which actively engages the viewer and is well worth the watch.
For those who like Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, although it is by far the superior film, if one wants to see a spy thriller with lots of twists and turns then this is a very interesting film that you should see. Both these films are set in the 1960’s, though Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy proves a little more convincing than the Debt.
http://www.picturehouses.co.uk/cinema/York_Picturehouse/
I saw this film last week and was really impressed with the way it keeps you guessing and on your toes the whole way through. I thought that Jesper Christensen was outstanding and it is by a long way the best performance I have seen him give. Above all though, the storyline was really gripping and interesting, and that's what made The Debt so good. A definite must see!
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