Nuremberg

War crimes are a hideous aspect of what humans can and have done to each other. We've seen many films based on atrocities from insane leaders, i.e. "Judgment at Nuremberg", "Schindler's List", "The Pianist", "Sophie's Choice" and others. Ever so often we, as humans, need to see films such as these in order to remind us that these acts are horrific and should never be repeated. So, even though "Nuremberg" is a tough watch, it is imperative that we are yet humbled once again. 

"Nuremberg" chronicles the eponymous trials held by Allied Forces against the defeated Nazi regime. The film centers on American psychiatrist Douglas Kelley (Rami Malek), who is tasked with determining whether Nazi prisoners are fit to stand trial for their war crimes and finds himself in a complex battle of wits with Reich Marshal, second in command to Hitler--who was already dead, Hermann Goring (Russell Crowe). Robert H. Jaxkson (Michael Shannon) was the prosecutor in charge of winning a battle of wits with him a well, but must strive to win if he hopes to receive his position as a Justice on the Supreme Court . Between breaking down Goring and politics involved, will this happen?

Others to round out the cast are Richard E. Grant as Sir David Maxwell-Fyfe, Leo Woodall as Howie Triest, Colin Hanks as Dr. Gustav Gilbert, John Slattery as Colonel Burton C. Andrus, Wrenn Schmidt as Elsie, Goring's wife, Lotte Verbeek as Emmy, Mark O'Brien as Colonel John Amen, Andreas Pietschmann as Rudolf Hess and Lydia Peckham as Lila.

This was directed with gut-wrenching grit, and sheer intensity by James Vanderbilt ("Truth" '15). Actually, this filmmaker is a writer, including this film, and as of the last ten years, he has made a transition also into the directing realm, and definitely was a wise choice. With only one other feature film to his credit, this director is a natural, however with the movies he's written and working with a plethora of directors, assuredly their knowledge rubbed off on him. His ability to encourage his actors to search for the most effective personas and characterizations is brilliant. It was also written amazingly effectively by Vanderbilt ("Darkness Falls" '03, "Basic" '03 "The Rundown" '03, "Zodiac" '07, "The Losers" '10, "The Amazing Spider-Man" '12, "White House Down" '13, "The Amazing Spider-Man 2" (screen story) '14, "Truth" '15, "Independence Day: Resurgence" '16, "Murder Mystery" '19, "Scream" '22, "Scream V1" '23, "Murder Mystery 2" '23, "Fountain of Youth" '25), based on the book "The Nazi and the Psychiatrist" by Jack El-Hai. Certainly all the films based on WWII true stories are intriguing, however one that is centered around a cat-and-mouse game between a psychiatrist and a Reich Marshal makes it fresher and original. This writer was able to harness drama, redemption, fear and even some humor in the same script and make it work. His sequencing and continuity was second to none.  This film has Academy Award nominations written all over it including Russell Crowe, Rami Malek and the cinematographer Dariusz Wolski asc. 

This is a film that all must see, but many will probably not be able to see since it is one of the most sobering, tough to watch films I've seen in years. Its stark footage of concentration camps along with its bleak surroundings make for a film that is truly difficult to watch, but one that if we, as a society, can endure the bleakness, we will be blatantly reminded about the atrocities of humankind so maybe, just maybe we won't repeat this kind of history ever again. 

Out of 4 Stars: 4                                         Rated: PG-13                                   148mins.