If Russell Crowe didn’t make another film, Nuremberg would be a fitting swan song, for he plays the wily Nazi Herman Göring, the central defendant in the famous post war crime trial with suitable pompousness but with a power, on par with his old gladiator days.
This “behind the scenes” film version has Rami Malik as the psychiatrist Douglas Kelly who is employed by the Americans to assess each of the 22 defendants for the likelihood of self harm. It is him who plays a cat and mouse game with the German second in command and he who reports back to the prosecutor Robert Jackson ( Michael Shannon) with snippets of information that will allow the allies to win a courtroom battle with the slippery German.
As someone well versed with the behaviour of psychiatrists, I found Malik’s interpretation odd to say the least. He is angry, smirky, overly involved and no way objective. The performance is overblown and unrealistic and therefore the interplay with Crowe, ( who steals every scene they share) is incredibly uneven.
Shannon , is suitably intense as Jackson, and both Leo Woodall and Richard E Grant shine as a Jewish German army translator and the Tory MP, David Maxwell Fife who finally saves the day.
I will leave you with this, the Waitrose Christmas Advert….its lovely, but has triggered in me a troubling worry with the tone of this year’s adverts…..more with that another time
This is the first time I have sen this Waitrose ad, and isn't it an odd one? If she is really supposed to be playing 'herself' should someone not tell her star struck geek that she is allegedly happily married? And has been for some years. But if not, what is the whole advert really about? There are indeed some very strange Christmas ads this year.
ReplyDeleteRami Malik is a not very talented actor, but has made his career having exotic looks which allowed him to impersonate Freddie Mercury and for some reason win an Oscar for doing so (although this in itself says more about the state of the Oscars these days. Don't get me started.) He was a totally unimpressive Bond villain and impresses less every time I watch him.
Russell Crowe, on the other hand, is an exceptional talent who let his private life get in the way of what should have been his best years. Before Gladiator he made some very fine indie/Aussie films, all worth catching up with, starting with Romper Stomper, and was superb in the film immediately before Gladiator, The Insider, one of my favourites. And not forgetting his incandescent turn as the brutal cop with a heart in LA Confidential.
He has recently made a couple of superb horror films, starring as a exorcist priest - well worth a look. he is still one of my favourite actors and clearly going into a new era of excellence. He is also, as I know from experience, a lovely and very kind human being.
Now do tell, what’s he like? I’m intrigued that you know him xxx
DeleteMy best friend was in a film with him, and he was researching the role. He wanted specific info and was jokingly told to ask me, so he did. I did happen to know the obscure stuff he wanted, and we pinged emails for a bit. He asked me if I wanted payment for the info and shortcuts I gave, and I said of course not. A few days later a fat envelope of personally signed photos from several films arrived. The famous Gladiator pose, signed "Strength and Honour" is on my wall, and I smile at it every day - it sustained me through cancer treatment. Because he didn't have to do that, one of those little, unheralded kindnesses that really counts, and shows the true heart of the man .
DeleteI hadn't seen the Waitrose ad, but it's overly long and a bit too sugary sentimental, to my way of thinking. It can't be easy coming up with a new Christmas ad, though, but they do seem to get weirder and weirder each year! xx
ReplyDeletePoint taken
DeleteI remember a late 1950s or early 1960s (didn't look it up!) film titled Judgement at Nuremberg with Spenser Tracy that was incredible. Am glad you liked the movie and Russel Crowe's performance. Surely he spends a good deal of his time on your sidebar with Chic Eleanor!!
ReplyDeleteSeems like a lengthy version of the part Keira played in Love Actually, going out in the snow after the love-struck friend has shown her the signs he's made - ya know?
Hugs!
Judgement at Nuremberg was a performance led film, with stand outs Judy garland and Montgomery Clift as standouts
DeleteRussell Crowe is capable of great depth as an actor. I'm looking forward to seeing "Nuremberg."
ReplyDeleteIt’s uneven , but he’s rather good init
DeleteIn this era of nostalgia, the idea of food as a love language, with the message that care can be shown not just through gifts, but through cooking, sharing, and nostalgia-laced meals.
ReplyDeleteThis Love Actually (which is romanticing stalking, which it most definitely is anything but...) shows an unconvincing "Phil" in an Emma Thompson-esque crisis of faith.
Keira and Phil fall in-love over a shared love of the same make cheese.
What brings him back around from a perceived betrayal with "Mark" (which as Yorkshire Liz pointed out, is conveniently forgotten that Keira Knightly is married), is Phil baking his feelings into a luxurious homemade turkey pie and bringing it around.
What a monumentally cringeworthy farce. Shame on Waitrose, and Richard Curtis himself for (apparently), giving the ad his seal of approval.
Oh lord, and that’s a different if anonymous review for sure .
DeleteI quite liked the message, ( ugly drake beautiful swan)
Cooking = love
And I was rather moved by it when I saw it first time
Today
You can over think everything me thinks
All comments on the Waitrose ad here, could be accused of over thinking it...
DeleteHumm
DeleteApparently there are now 'rules' about not showing unhealthy food in Christmas ads, so no fattening pigs in blankets, mince pies and other sugary treats. No tables groaning with heavy Christmas fare as in previous Dawn French ads, or plates piled high with huge portions. So they've all had to go for 'the spirit of Christmas' instead. Spoil sports.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts are rather more sinister and “ reform” led
DeleteI feel that this year the integrated families happily on show around the table are a little thin on the ground this year
I had to look up "Phil" find out he was played by Joe Wilkinson. Then I had to look up Joe Wilkinson to find out who he was. Seems to have had an unusual career.
ReplyDeleteHe’s an incredibly funny stand up
DeleteThe exuberant dog on the trampoline is still my favourite Christmas ad.
ReplyDeleteIt was a fox
DeleteYou're both right, it starts with the wildlife and then ends with the Boxer dog beating the child to the trampoline on Christmas morning. :-)
DeleteI really did enjoy the Waitrose ad, although take that opinion from a soppy and sentimental American who can sometimes cry at dog food ads if the mood strikes. I do love me some Russell Crowe and look forward to seeing the movie. X
ReplyDeleteI like RC as an actor. It is unfortunate that the role as psychiatrist was unrealistic.
ReplyDeletemeh
ReplyDeleteSilly really but I loved that Waitrose advertisement. Keira Knightley and Joe Wilkinson are such a ridiculous pairing. I would like to believe that the ad will not change my attitude to Waitrose one way or another but the psychology of advertising can work within the subconscious and nobody is entirely above such pressure.
ReplyDeleteWS this a television thing? Very long! Kathy
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the ad too.
ReplyDeleteI watched it without the sound. Rather trite. I’ll watch again with sound . It will still be trite but sound can change the enjoyment of most things.
ReplyDeleteweavinfool
I cannot get on the Rami Malik hate train here. But anything Michael Shannon is in, I find worth watching.
ReplyDeleteI too first watched that ad w/out sound. What a difference hearing it! I loved it. And I love Phil; I know I've seen him before, not sure sure in what. Any ad that isn't just huge family get-togethers I appreciate. Some of us are on our own now; there are many ways to celebrate the holidays, and we must find them.
I don't like the supermarket Christmas advertisements. They are a sentimental way of encouraging people to spend more than they can probably afford and promote a cheery family celebration that many cannot aspire to . . . and I don't like Keira Knightley or Joe Wilkinson . . . grumble, grumble . . .
ReplyDeleteStealing hospital equipment? A fine upstanding man you think you are, no definitely not. You're dishonest. Not something to be proud of.
ReplyDeleteChristmas adverts are just about the only ones that I watch, and this Waitrose one is pretty good in my opinion. I play spot the film references in it every time I watch it. I like all the little add-ons and follow-ons that are around on social media too, padding out their story even more.
ReplyDeleteI liked the ad. It's sweet and silly and I'm fine with that.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't seen the ad'. Very classic for modern Christmas ads. The whole business has become very competitive; this is probably one of the best. If you are near a Waitrose, they have a Sottish Cheddar Cheese in the form of a Christmas Pud'. Perfect presents for £5.
ReplyDeleteAny time you can find a useful and imaginative gift for 5 ads is wonderful to me! JanF
ReplyDelete