Mephisto
More interesting than enjoyable, and not especially insightful as to how Höfgen’s gradual moral corrosion develops – this is not the fault of Brandauer, who gives a performance for the ages as the enigmatic and maddening lead, but I’m not sure Szabo (or his writers) can quite come to grips with how to present the character’s very internalised journey. Still it’s sumptuously filmed and designed, with Szabo capturing that signature sense of garish decadence of pre-WWII Nazis, and all of the performers are terrific, especially a slimily chilling Hoppe. Should benefit a rewatch.
Mini Review: More interesting than enjoyable, and not especially insightful as to how Höfgen’s gradual moral corrosion develops – this is not the fault of Brandauer, who gives a performance for the ages as the enigmatic and maddening lead, but I’m not sure Szabo (or his writers) can quite come to grips with how to present the character’s very internalised journey. Still it’s sumptuously filmed and designed, with Szabo capturing that signature sense of garish decadence of pre-WWII Nazis, and all of
