George Clooney stars in another black and white movie. This time it is a homage to the films noir of the 1940s and 50s. It uses the techniques and equipment used in the post war period, and although this is initially somewhat limiting as the film progresses I have to admit it is a success and adds to the atmosphere of the piece.
This is the tale of an American war correspondent who was based in Berlin in 1939 and is now returning to cover the Potsman Conference. He is rapidly drawn into the murky world of the emerging cold war. The American military are engaged in conflicting needs - the de-nazification and punishment of the German nation on the one hand and a desperate need to get control of German expertise, brains and industry before the Soviets before the Iron Curtain descends.
I admired this attempt to get into the world created as a result of total defeat and social breakdown - and the black and white filming helped to create the mood of desolation and despair, with everyone trying to survive and make a future for themselves - through the blackmarket or by selling whatever they have - their ideas, stolen goods, bodies or their relatives. I was pretty impressed by this film, but it didn't quite have the impact I would have wanted, and the plot was marginally confused and complicated.
Worth seeing though - especially if you're a fan of the post war movies. My rating: 8/10
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