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The Debt (2011) Film Review

Film reviewing “The Debt” starring Helen Mirren as a retired Mossad secret agent (Rachel) was always going to be exciting and i can happily report she gives perhaps her finest performance to date since “The Queen”. The storyline centres around three Mossad agents Rachel, David and Stephan who in 1966 are sent on a mission to hunt down a Nazi war criminal and bring him back alive to face justice in the courts. The notion of loyalty to family both past and present, country and colleague is the key concept presented in “The Debt” directed by John Madden. Madden’s last major film was the acclaimed “Shakespeare In Love” and the wait for another success has been worth it.

 

Madden effectively uses the “Flashback” technique to link the film between two distinct time periods – 1966 and 1997. This technique can in other director’s hands confuse the audience but Madden has successfully used it as a bridge to keep you guessing till the very end. Mirren is joined by the very experienced Tom Wilkinson (The Ghost Writer) and Ciaran Hinds (Harry Potter – Deathly Hallows Pt 2) who play the older Stephan and David respectively. Their roles are smaller than Mirren’s as the older versions of the agents but are no less impacting.

The younger versions of the above three characters are played by Sam Worthington (Avatar) as David, Jessica Chastain (The Help) as Rachel and Marton Csokas (South Solitary) as Stephan. All three actors play out their roles that are rich in character with great commitment. Worthington’s David is consumed by the mission ahead of him, Rachel is focused but cannot understand the emptiness that appears to be in David’s life outside of this mission. Hinds who plays the young Stephan is dedicated to seeing the mission through no matter what the cost to himself personally, professionally and eventually his relationship with the other agents. His dedication will have far reaching consequences that he could not have predicted.

“The Debt” has a great European feel to it and like any good movie, takes you out of the world your currently in.