Monday, October 15, 2007
FEARLESS
Today's NYTimes Best 1176 Film was the conclusion of
An improbable hero.
He doesn't even know how to run a business.
He is an operator, a hustler, a con artist, a womanizer, a man with very few scruples.
We do not see what changes him from an opportunist to a man who saves the lives of a thousand Jews.
We see gradual transitions. Friendship.
In the scene below, when they are making the list, he remembers people's names. Families. The list springs from his mind. The two men are on fire with the names.
Once committed he pursues the 'list' with the same fervor that he pursues money, women, good times.
He is fearless.
In peace time, he would likely end up in jail. In many ways he is a benign sociopath.
He cares nothing about consequences.
The war ends about the time that he runs out of money to pay off the germans and all the other business leaches.
Liam Neeson is Schindler.
Great.
And Ben Kingsley who is the factory manager who makes a lot of the machine work. A Jew. Their friendship is at the core of the 'how'.
Ralph Fiennes is incredibly evil as the commandant.
The care in making this film realistic is evident in each frame. There are no shortcuts.
It is a masterpiece.
I cannot say more really. The personal impact of it will be long lasting.
I will give it a 5 out of Netflix5.
Labels: best films
