The Debt
Miramax / Marv / Pioneer Pictures – 2010
Directed by John Madden
(no, not the football coach)
- Rachel Singer – Helen Mirren
- Stephan Gold – Tom Wilkinson
- Ciaràn Hines – David Peretz
- Doktor Bernhardt - Jesper Christensen
- Young Rachel – Jessica Chastain
- Young Stephen – Marton Csokas
- Young David – Sam Worthington
Story: In the 1960's, Mossad was all about running down the former officers in charge of the Nazi Concentration camps, especially those who performed experiments on Jewish prisoners. Three agents failed their mission when their prisoner escaped before they could get him out of East Berlin. Since they believed he would disappear and never be heard from again, they lied and reported he died while trying to escape. In the 90's, the three agents are in danger of having their secret revealed, and an aging Rachel Singer (Mirren) must once again become an agent for vengeance to cover her lie.
Review: Flashing from the past to the present and back again, the film develops its plot brilliantly and leaves you wondering what will happen next. The entire cast is excellent in their performances, and you have the illusion of being an observer traveling through time with the participants as the truth of the events unfold. Helen Mirren is riveting, and Jessica Chastain's ability to transcend her personality for Mirren's adds believability to the story, which is a work of fiction. (As if the Mossad would ever admit they failed.) Nothing is omitted, every “i” dotted, every “t” crossed, and the film is as coherent and intriguing as a Pulitzer prize winning novel.
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