Review of The Debt (2010) by Cameron J — 24 Dec 2011

It's a film co-written and produced by Matthew Vaughn, and is about Nazi hunters. Was anyone else waiting for Michael Fassbender to step into frame and start throwing metal around? They may as well have gone ahead and brought in the superhero, because the Nazi hunters are basically quasi-superheroes. Marton Csokas was an elf in "Lord of the Rings", Sam Worthington was an "Avatar" in "Pocahontas in Space-I mean "Avatar" (Sorry, the rip off threw me off; still a good movie, though) and Jessica Chastain, herself, has the unique ability to be in, like, 73 places at the same time. Man, I was looking through some old home videos, and I think she made a cameo somewhere in there. Hey, I'm not complaining about her being everywhere, because she can act like I can eat, in that, by the end, we're both crying, only when she cries, it means that she's accomplished something in life. Not to mention that she's also pretty cute, even if it's not hard to look at her in this film and expect her to catch a bullet with that dimple in her chin, even though you know that they would never do that, because this is most certainly not like those big dumb spy films that we've been seeing a lot of. This is a gritty, realistic study on the dangers and tension you're getting into when you take the job... and so yeah, it gets a little boring.

Seriously, how many meditative films do I have to see before someone actually calls it a genre? I don't know, but what I do know is that this film isn't really one of them. However, there is still some level of meditativeness in the atmosphere, with every bit running together a little too smoothly and stylistically, making the film slow and leaving emotional resonance to take a hit. Investment in the characters is hindered by this meditative tone that dilutes the sense of development, leaving the film to drift along, winning you, then losing you over and over again. Meditative storytelling has diluted the quality and squandered the potential of many a film, and this film is not only no exception, but it's even more squandered potential, because this isn't even a real meditative film. What we have here is a solid concept, but it's tainted with messy storytelling that's so unfitting. However, as much as I complain about meditative films, more often than not, they have the style and talent to back themselves up; and while this film is kept from being a meditative one, seeing as it doesn't have the hyperstylizing that makes a meditative film what it is, it definately has the acting talent for a character study this intimate.

Now, I've heard complaints about the casting choices for the younger versions of our leads, and while I have to disagree about that statement when it comes to Jessica Chastain - who makes for a strikingly perfect young Helen Mirren -, there's no way around the flawed casting of Sam Worthington as a young Ciarán Hinds and Marton Csokas as a young Tom Wilkinson. However, the performers more than make up for it by sharply embodying the personalities and characteristics of their mutual roles; and that's especially impressive when you consider that Ciarán Hinds isn't just playing David Peretz, but he's also having to play Sam Worthington, because that's who Sam Worthington always plays. Still, Sam Worthington, as a character, is subtley, yet still slickly charismatic, with an aura of leadership that's effective, yet human; and Sam Worthing, as an actor, still does a fine job as Sam Worthington. Still, he's not the only lead in this, and the other leads aren't about to let you forget that, because they're all bringing sharp game, whether it be the charismatically mysterious, yet subtley layered Marton Csokas, or the chillingly effective antagonist, Jesper Christensen, who's devilishly slick presence leaves you chilled, wondering what sick, manipulative trick he will pull on our leads next, and if it will be one that finally works. Of course, the biggest standout is easily the lovely Ms. Jessica Chastain, who further proves why she is worthy of being this year's success story, as she carries yet another one of the many films she's starring in this year. She gives off a strong presence that's intensified by sharp emoting and very human layers; and her accent ain't too shabby, either. Whether it be the gripping hook, or any other climactic, often tense moment following, the film has plenty of his spots, but what is consistently great are performances that carry this film through thick and thin.

Overall, its slow, almost meditative tone dilutes resonance and investment in the story, and leaves much potential squandered, but for every low in the film, there is a high that's delightfully stylish, if not compellingly satisfying; but what carries this film the most are the leads - particularly Jessica Chastain -, who's subtle, graceful performances help in making "The Debt" a generally tense, genuinely enjoyable thriller.

3/5 - Good.