Historical and legal landmark value: 5 stars; Movie's entertainment value: 3 stars "Denial" (2016 release from the UK; 110 min.) is the story, "based on true events" we are reminded at the start of the movie, of how British Holocaust denier David Irving sues American author Deborah Lipstadt for libel after she publishes a book called "Denying the Holocaust". As the movie opens, we see Lipstadt delivering a lecture at Atlanta's Emory University in 1994, shortly after her book comes out. Irving sneak into the audience and interrupts her presentation. Next we are in "London, 1996", where Irving brings his claim against Lipstadt and her publisher Penguin Books that Lipstadt's book has ruined his reputation. Lipstadt and her legal team now must come up with a strategy for the pending court case. At this point we are 15 min. into the movie, but to tell you more of the events would spoil your viewing expertise, you'll just have to see for yourself how it all plays out.
Couple of comments: I was surprised to see that this movie was directed by none other than British director Mick Jackson, probably best known for the Whitney Houston-Kevin Costner movie "The Bodyguard" from the early 90s. Here he tackles an important historical (and landmark legal) event, namely how a racist liar turns the tables by filing a libel suit again a Jewish author in a British court. Indeed, as crazy as it sounds, under UK libel law, it is not the accuser who has the burden of proof, but somehow it is the accused. It would seem that this should provide fertile ground for a riveting historical and court drama, but alas, you might be wrong. For whatever reason, the movie from the get-go just feels wooden and oftentimes just boring. In particular the first half of the movie is just not that good, the sole exception being the scenes from when the legal team, accompanied by Lipstadt, decides to make a visit to Auschwitz, not as a pilgrimage, reminds the lead lawyer, but to study it as a crime scene. (I visited Auschwitz a few years ago, this is not a "fun' visit for obvious reasons, but it should be a requirement for all high school kids in Europe for its historical significance and lasting legacy.) The second half of the movie, which centers around the actual court case, is a little better, mostly because of the wonderful performance of Tom Wilkinson as the lead lawyer in the court room. Strangely, Lipstadt, the movie's lead character played by Rachel Weisz, is unlikeable for parts of the movie, and at times outright irritating. Does that make it a great performance by Weisz? I honestly can't tell you. I am a huge fan of her, and can't recall a single movie where I enjoyed her less than I did here. Let me also mention the sober, and touching, orchestral score in the movie, courtesy of veteran composer Howard Shore.
"Denial" opened this past weekend on a handful of screens here in Cincinnati (including not one, but two screens at our local art-house theater). The Tuesday evening screening where I was this at was attended poorly (only one other person beside myself). To be frank, I am torn about this film. It is an important topic but sadly the movie is only so-so. There are many other movies out there dealing with the Holocaust that are so much better than "Denial" (check, for example, the Hungarian film "Son of Saul" which just earlier this year won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film and which is a harrowing and haunting film that everyone should see).
Couple of comments: I was surprised to see that this movie was directed by none other than British director Mick Jackson, probably best known for the Whitney Houston-Kevin Costner movie "The Bodyguard" from the early 90s. Here he tackles an important historical (and landmark legal) event, namely how a racist liar turns the tables by filing a libel suit again a Jewish author in a British court. Indeed, as crazy as it sounds, under UK libel law, it is not the accuser who has the burden of proof, but somehow it is the accused. It would seem that this should provide fertile ground for a riveting historical and court drama, but alas, you might be wrong. For whatever reason, the movie from the get-go just feels wooden and oftentimes just boring. In particular the first half of the movie is just not that good, the sole exception being the scenes from when the legal team, accompanied by Lipstadt, decides to make a visit to Auschwitz, not as a pilgrimage, reminds the lead lawyer, but to study it as a crime scene. (I visited Auschwitz a few years ago, this is not a "fun' visit for obvious reasons, but it should be a requirement for all high school kids in Europe for its historical significance and lasting legacy.) The second half of the movie, which centers around the actual court case, is a little better, mostly because of the wonderful performance of Tom Wilkinson as the lead lawyer in the court room. Strangely, Lipstadt, the movie's lead character played by Rachel Weisz, is unlikeable for parts of the movie, and at times outright irritating. Does that make it a great performance by Weisz? I honestly can't tell you. I am a huge fan of her, and can't recall a single movie where I enjoyed her less than I did here. Let me also mention the sober, and touching, orchestral score in the movie, courtesy of veteran composer Howard Shore.
"Denial" opened this past weekend on a handful of screens here in Cincinnati (including not one, but two screens at our local art-house theater). The Tuesday evening screening where I was this at was attended poorly (only one other person beside myself). To be frank, I am torn about this film. It is an important topic but sadly the movie is only so-so. There are many other movies out there dealing with the Holocaust that are so much better than "Denial" (check, for example, the Hungarian film "Son of Saul" which just earlier this year won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film and which is a harrowing and haunting film that everyone should see).