Review of Munich (2005) by Brett W — 16 Nov 2013

I think the problem I have with Spielberg's attempts at serious dramas is that they always feel so impersonal. Here's a two-and-a-half hour film focusing on the inner conflict one man experiences in his hunt for killers, but never once did I feel part of the turmoil. The camera is dispassionate; an objective observer. I think the main cause is that every character talks like they're giving a recap. Everyday speech doesn't tend towards narration and monologues, yet that's what Spielberg throws at us. Perhaps he doesn't want to editorialize by bringing us in too deep, but unfortunately, one-sided speeches have much the same effect. The result is a film full of characters with very shallow personalities, which does not lend itself to the serious tone of this film, and makes it as a whole very clunky and tedious.

Spielberg brings a sterile touch to many of his films, and this is really no different. Not worth it.