Movie Poster

Our memory reaches back through recorded history. The book of memory still lies open. And you here now are the hand that holds the pen. If you succeed, for the first time in our history we will judge our executioner. And we will warn off any who wishes to follow his example. If you fail, he escapes justice, perhaps forever. I beg you. Do not fail.

# Review

The story covers a real-life event which occurred post-WWII, where Israeli Mossad agents went undercover in Argentina in order to extract Adolf Eichmann (Ben Kingsley), one of the major organizers of the Holocaust. The Israelis hope to put Eichmann on trial in Jerusalem for his war crimes.

The source of the story is very compelling and is perhaps one of the most daring intelligence operations conducted in the 60s. Unfortunately, as with The Monuments Men this film fails to live up to its source material. For one, the script feels clichéd and overly-dramatic. Some of the embellishments from the filmmakers, such as one scene where Kingsley’s Eichmann loses his temper, doesn’t square away with his personification as a cold bureaucrat who systematically sent Jewish people to their death. Oscar Isaac’s Malkin is solid but the script didn’t give many opportunities for him to be exceptional. Kingsley’s Eichmann is creepy and makes for a good foil to Isaac’s Malkin. The supporting cast, which includes Mélanie Laurent’s Hanna, Nick Kroll’s Rafi, and Joe Alwyn’s Klaus, are all decent but didn’t stand out.

# Conclusion

The film tries to be both extremely cerebral and also thrilling, but unfortunately accomplishes neither.

# Overall rating: 6.9

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