Review of Munich (2005) by Jiana W — 31 May 2011

I wasn't paying too much attention while this was going on. I found it only sporadically engaging but also surprising, which certainly can be considered a virtue in films these days.

It follows the top secret group of men who sought to track down and assassinate the 11 Palestinian masterminds behind the kidnapping and murder of Israeli athletes at the 1972 Munich Olympics. The main character, played by Bana, is almost killed on several occasions, some of his associates are killed (one by accident), and once he returns home, he is plagued with flashbacks and fits of paranoia that his family, too, is now being hunted. His activities, which his wife is unaware of, take an emotional and mental toll on him.

The film doesn't seem to care much about taking sides regarding the Israeli/Palestinian clash which is good. In this film, characters from both sides have their say about why they're doing what they're doing. Instead of trying to make political statements regarding the conflict, "Munich" leans more toward questioning the morality and sense in taking acts of vengeance and how it ultimately doesn't ease one's conscience, bring peace, or end well.

Someone once said, "He who seeks revenge should dig two graves." I think that's what this film is about mostly.