Sunday 3 August 2014

A Most Wanted Man


'A Most Wanted Man' based on the John Le Carre novel has various Intelligence agencies in Hamburg Germany monitoring the activities of a suspected militant Islamist, a perceived moderate fundraiser for Islamic charities and a banker who may or may not be knowingly involved in the financing of terrorist activities.

At the outset the film tells us that planning of the 9/11 attacks on the United States occurred undetected in Hamburg and so agencies there have remained vigilant ever since to prevent a reoccurrence. Hence the close and competitive agencies' monitoring depicted in the movie.

The clandestine agency from whose perspective we are viewing events is led by Philip Seymour Hoffman in what became his final completed movie role. It is a typically outstanding performance by Hoffman. Indeed the performances all round are excellent.

Events unfold slowly and at length and action lovers be warned, there is very little to excite your interest here. Whilst I was intrigued with the detailed slow moving depiction of Intelligence monitoring I did start to fear at one stage that the film might peter out aimlessly but patience is rewarded. The climax when it comes packs a punch.
★★★★

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