Munich and Syriana

Seeing Munich and Syriana within two days of each other required a lot of heavy lifting.  Both films present complex storylines about characters with shifting loyalties and conflicting motivations.  Syriana was written and directed by the writer of Traffic, and if you saw that, you’ll recognize the similarities – an interconnectedness between characters and plot that is slowly and intricately revealed.  George Clooney was outstanding, as was the entire cast – many familiar faces in parts both big and small.  I’m glad Clooney is receiving a lot of awards and nominations, but I’m puzzled as to why it’s as a supporting actor.  He’s billed at the top, and if he’s not the star, I don’t know who is.  To be fair, all the actors are basically in supporting roles, as there is no one main story – and no one person who is either completely a hero or a villain.

Similarly, Munich deals with characters who live in a gray area – and struggle to define themselves as “the good guys.”  Following the murder of Israeli athletes during the Munich Olympics, the Israeli government sent secret teams of assassins after those they felt were responsible.  Eric Bana plays the leader of one such team, and the film takes us through their pursuit of various targets. Each assassination plays out in an atmosphere of unbelievable tension for both the characters and the audience.  Spielberg has woven an extremely tight, taut thriller.  Eric Bana’s character struggles with the emotional and moral impact of his actions, being both uncomfortable with the role of a killer, and haunted by the deaths of the innocent Olympians.  It’s a great portrait and a fascinating story.