The most recent adaptation of a John le Carré (author of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) novel brings a coldly subtle edge to this summer of special-effects-heavy action blockbusters. A Most Wanted Man follows Gunther Bachmann, a disheveled German intelligence officer with a past of failures. He leads an anti-terrorism cell that keeps its eyes on the Islamic population of Hamburg, where the 9/11 attacks were planned. But in the shady world of terrorism and intelligence nothing is ever black-and-white, much as we might hope, and the cost of betrayal is severe.
Philip Seymour Hoffman is electric in his role. His every moment on screen is magnetic due to the incredible subtlety with which he injects Bachmann, beyond his impeccably gravelly German-accented English. Under his brusque, chain-smoking exterior, his idealistic optimism shines through, and proves to be a trait that leads to a personal tragedy. He's seen it all before, and he leads his comrades through a murky world of shady backroom deals and espionage with an air of confident control. And yet his real shining moments occur when he shows that Bachmann isn't just doing his job; he's living a life devoted to the greater good, and to that end he develops personal relationships with his compatriots, whether they be Muslim or American. His warmth as a paternal figure is intoxicating, partly because it is so unexpected.
The supporting cast is no less impressive in creating a taut network of shaky alliances. Rachel McAdams, Daniel Bruhl, Robin Wright, and Williem Dafoe perform with determination and understated intensity that match Hoffman's lead. Wright's aggressive meddling as a CIA agent is sure to rub some of us the wrong way, but it certainly hints at the extent to which Americans will go for "results", regardless of the collateral; McAdams's sweet humanitarian legal efforts, however, prove no less double-edged as she realizes she may be unwittingly helping terrorists. These women play hard roles that straddle extremes of morality, and are accompanied by Dafoe's portrayal of a wealthy banker who makes deals with dangerous clients, uncertain of the consequences.
Directed by Anton Corbijn (director of The American (2010), Control (2007)), this two-hour descent into surprisingly emotional ties is easily the most cerebral film we've seen this summer. From its opening shot of the murky waters of the River Elbe, the film maintains a gray-scale theme of moral ambiguity and tense alliances. Bachmann maneuvers the various players -- especially a respected Muslim lecturer and philanthropist, Dr. Faisal Abdullah, who has publicly denounced terrorism but remains suspicious to intelligence officers -- into helping him whether they really want to or not. The crux of his plans is ex-convict Issa Karpov, who may be a criminal or victim, but who is trying to forge a new life.
As you may be able to tell, no character in this convoluted tale is completely sympathetic, partly because they don't always sympathize with themselves; they dubiously gain trust before casually betraying each other, and their intentions are often undermined by harsh realities. Hoffman's finale (truly, as it is his last finished film) is one of his most memorable, screaming in frustration on the streets before simply walking out of the frame. The tragedy of his character is compounded for audiences, as he was also walking out of our lives forever. We miss you, PSH, but thank you for leaving us one last masterpiece. Rest in peace.
IMDb: A Most Wanted Man
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