Steven Spielberg is a clever filmmaker/storyteller. Over the years, he has grasped the ’’Oscars funda’’ really well.
He has made it a habit to film two movies and release it in one year. One - that is targeted at the box office success and another - targeted at the coveted awards.
So, what’s the big deal about all this? As long as he continues to do what he does best - telling stories
Munich takes an important chapter from the history and contextualizes it in a way that rings a bell even today. The story or event that lays the foundation of Spielberg’s newest offering was kinda’ the germination of modern terrorism and violence in the middle east (esp. Israel and Palestine).
1972 - Olympics, 2 Israeli athletes killed and 9 taken hostage... 21-hours later... the remaining nine hostages are also murdered at the airport tarmac in a chopper.
This incident gives birth to one of the most controversial counter-terrorist operations ever undertaken by Mossad, the Israeli intelligence agency. Golda Meir, then Israeli PM sends an undercover hit squad (completely off the records) to track down and bring the Munich masterminds to justice.
Spielberg, known for his painstaking research on historical and political subjects, shows his mastery over the genre once again. The film is a brilliant piece of political debate and also a psychological study. The drama never for once loses its focus and intensity. The intercutting and placement of Munich massacre in between the movie as flashbacks maintains a strong resonance behind the acts of the hit squad.
Technically, it’s a Spielberg and his master crew’s show all the way. Camerawork, lighting, lenses, shot composition and everything suits the mood and script of the film to the T.
John William’s minimalist background score is just about perfect to hit you at the right time and at the right place. It is haunting and provocative...
The best part for me was the climax... The scene where Eric Bana asks ’’Where is Peace? is a great remark on the current scenario in the world political fabric.
Is there end to violence? Is there end to militancy? Can capturing Osama Bin Laden put an end to terrorism?
Watch Munich for answers...