The horror of war and a quiet meditation on the criminal mind are the themes of the two films reviewed today. One is a film adaptation of a German anti-war classic, while the second is a true crime dramatization.
The horror of war, and a quiet meditation on the criminal mind are the themes of the two films reviewed today. One is a film adaptation of a German anti-war classic, while the second is a true crime dramatization.
All Quiet on the Western Front – This is the third film adaptation of Erich Maria Remarque’s classic anti-war novel that was first published in 1928. A veteran of the World War I, Remarque was out to show the folly of war, the hypocrisy of the statesmen who send young men to their death in the name of the Fatherland and political squabbling, and the difficulties these soldiers would experience when trying to reintegrate into society.
Felix Kammerer stars as Paul, the young recruit, from whose perspective the narrative unfolds, and we have the recognizable Daniel Brühl as Matthias Erzberger, a real historical figure who served as Minister of Finance after the first War, and was subsequently assassinated by the far right for granting too many concessions during the Armistice talks. There’s impressive cinematography and strongly constructed montages that turn this film into a masterful adaptation.
The Good Nurse – Based on the 2013 true-crime book written by Charles Graeber that centered on the case of serial killer Charlie Cullen, this dramatization on Netflix is directed by Tobias Lindholm in a manner that purposely keeps away from sensationalizing the case, or turning the lead portrayals into histrionic or over the top attacks.