Munich

Putting aside my prejudice against the director whom I believe overrated as an artist, I went to see the film on a Sunday night when depression hangs high with the promise of a new sucky week. A bunch of Palestinian terrorists are helped over a hedge by a few drunk American sportsmen at the Oplympic games in '72. Chaos ensues. After the panicky massacre of 11 Israeli athletes watched by an entire planet, the films turns its attention to the vengeance planned by the Mossad. One agent is sent to kill one by one all or as many as possible of the people involved in this act of sensless cruelty. After this point many complain, too much violence, too long a story, what was the point? Indeed the cycle of violence theme has been brooded upon by many an artist and scholars. But there's a real sense of hopelessness that Eric Bana renders well, and that perspires through his every sexy pore. What I think makes this movie special is not necesarily the message, but the mise-en-scene. The locations of the death team are spread out across Europe. The rooms where they dwell have a certain sweetness and the way the sun falls down through the windows make the place exist. (tbc)