The comparisons to Schindlers List are to be expected here- William Hurt plays, rather well, a man who saves the persecuted artists and intellectuals of WWII. You know where the story is going, and yet the marvellous acting of Hurt and Julia Ormand manage to hold your attention. Fine supporting roles as well- Alan Arkin all but steals the movie. Maury Chakin has a rather unfortunate suit to overcome, and here's where the lack of money affected the story for me. It's so obviously made in Canada for a dime, and yet it's a vast story. Why do it if you can't do it right? I wasn't wild about the music either, it was very 'on the nose' and told us how to feel every step of the way. I expected more from producer Barbra Striesand. The actors, however, transcend all the cheapness and sentiment and make it very watchable.
Review of Varian's War: The Forgotten Hero
