An Officer and a Spy

Too dry and deliberate pacing in the first half threaten to derail this, but once the second-half starts we get some vintage claustrophobic Polanski paranoia, courtesy of Dujardin's wounded and weathered colonel, though its interesting that Gorrel (Polanski's surrogate) is largely sidelined for much of the action. Possibly more enjoyable (and meaningful) for Polanski fans, rather than general audiences.

Is Roman Polanski still a skilful director? Yes. The story, acting and directing were solid. Well, maybe except the last act. But why he had to do it so much in the court house? I understand it was an important part of the story but I do not fancy that sort of storytelling.

So powerful except Desplat's melody. It's so irrelevant to the issue. When music starts i thought Nolan came to the theatre...

The story behind the film is explosive by itself, it's easy to make it a compelling trial drama. Competent effort by Polanski, but it doesn't go beyond that in unexpected territory; showing a will, like in The Pianist, to respect the story without putting too much personal spin on it. The last scene between Dreyfus and Piquart leaves a question about Piquart ethics: how much he did it all just for his own power hunger and for the pleasure to be right? how much is he really a likeable character?

Of course Polanski tries to compare himself to Dreyfus, but let's stick to the basics here. Efficient, well-shot and paced chamber piece about the virtues of truth -- always so hard to find -- and the easy pleasures of lies. Sistemic anti-semitism and military corporate machinery make everything harder for the ones that stand behind Dreyfus -- even Dujardin's character, who also doesn't like jewish people. It works better as a trial drama than a political/military investigative thriller.

Fransa'nın olaylı Roman Polanski filmi. Ama Roman Polanski'nin en sıkıcı filmi. Fransa ordusunun içindeki 1 ajanın bulunması için araştıran Yarbay'ın hikayesi. Bu arada suçsuz olan 1 yüzbaşıyı da ispat etmesi gerekmektedir. Kırmızı pantolonlu subayların, hızlı konuşma tekniğine yenildiğini görülüyor. Oyuncular pek kendini verememiş. Filmin sonunda, adalet geç de olsa buluyor. Mehter Marşı gibi Üç adım ileri bir sağa bir sola bak.

It's a very strong work while Picquart is investigating the situation, until "J'accuse" is published; the last 30 minutes are a complete mess (looks like an unfinished/rushed project). The unjust trial, the defense of a rightful solution, and the many interests involved are the central point. The portrait of the society of the time to a certain extent is a charicature of reality, but it doesn't overshadow the display of a moral virtue (justice).

Solid, confident cinema of the highest order.

Unusual success in describing types attitudes and motivation which have already disappeared.

The pace was a little too slow for me. *Recommendable