Review of The Counterfeiters (2007) by Matthew L — 31 May 2009

This Oscar winning flick is based on the true story of â??Sallyâ?? Sorowitsch, a genius Jewish forger, who is arrested and thrown into a prison camp during the Second World War. A career crook, he is forced to make some tough decisions, not just to save his own life but that of his fellow inmates as they are made to forge the British and American currencies, in effect aiding the Nazi war effort. To say that must stick in the throat is a massive understatement.

Sally wants to survive, to see the outside world again. Others though feel differently, deliberately sabotaging the efforts, putting everyone in danger. Sally, being the appointed leader of this group struggles to reconcile the 2 sides, reluctantly putting himself in harms way in an effort to save the others. He is not a hero though, and doesnâ??t see things in the same light as the others. Ultimately his main goal is to do something that defeated him in the outside world: to forge the US Dollar.

Karl Markovics is something of a revelation in this movie. His portrayal of Sally gives a real edge to a brilliant character. From a cocksure cad, Sally has to quickly adapt to the world around him. He does so by immersing himself in his work, for which he is legendary, but has to contend with the chagrin of his fellow inmates. How Markovics missed a best actor Oscar for this superb piece of work is somewhat a travesty, but in all honesty to him he would have been hard pressed to win it anyway with a certain Mr Day-Lewis nicking all the spotlight.

However it is by far the better performance in my book and is brilliantly backed up by David Streislow as the Nazi general in charge of the counter-fitting operation. While being a hate figure, he actually plays the Sturmbannführer with much sympathy, the man being almost a fatherly type over his incarcerated workers. He treats them well if they succeed lavishing them with many gifts, but will just as quickly punish them if they should step out of line.

This film is powerful, emotional and affecting, with some great performances evoking memories of Schindlers in its much shorter running time. Its subject is never an easy watch but is without doubt compelling, and your not likely to see as many movies as good as this all year.