Munchen

I just saw Poiter, I mean Eric Bana, in Spielberg's Munich. Sorry to be late, but I'm not a big movie person - the only thing which could draw me to the exorbitant cinema prices would be a Johnny Depp appearance. Sigh.

Anyway, say what you may, I was impressed. The film doesn't say anything new, in particular, but I do appreciate it for bringing up important issue in an approachable way - as Spielberg says in the featured interview, he wanted to make people aware of some of the factors involved in the seemingly never-ending Israel-Palestine struggle, and the easiest way to do that is characterisation and empathy. Admirably, for a Jewish-descended American (often derided as the worst of the worst when it comes to impartiality in this debate), he strives to present both "sides" of the story and the competing claims for land and security, albeit through minor characters.

Munich presents events that allegedly happened 30 years ago, but the issues raised, unfortunately, are still more than relevant today. Where does patriotism bleed into extremism? What is most important to you - your family, your country, or human life and dignity? How can you resolve two incompatible points of view? Is violence an effective response to violence? When will Bana return to comedy?


It's a big-budget Hollywood flick, but Spielberg does them well. I cried at the end of Schindler's List. I didn't cry this time (it wasn't all that sad, really) but the background is probably more relevant to a contemporary audience. Check the film out. At worst, an entertaining, suspenseful couple of hours; at best, a reflection on trading an eye for an eye until everyone is blind.  ¶ 5:32 午後