Competition review - REMEMBER by Atom Egoyan

It's never too late to get some comeuppance. ATOM EGOYAN's draws inspiration from the Holocaust for his film REMEMBER which was featured in the official competition of the 72nd VENICE FILM FESTIVAL.
 
Following the misstep of his previous film THE CAPTIVE, ATOM EGOYAN plays it slightly safer with a film that ponders upon the theme of what to do with war criminals. He does so in a film that presents a familiar mix of investigation with historical conscience and redemption, and by dealing with the ever-present issue of the Holocaust. 
 
We follow the story of a 90-year-old survivor, an introverted and vulnerable man suffering from dementia, as he criss-crosses North America in search for a former SS officer who has been living there under a false identity. The leading role of the film is played by CHRISTOPHER PLUMMER, who carries a large portion of the film on his shoulders by appearing in practically every scene of the film. Here, complete with a commanding use of the German accent, his skill appears to be undimmed, and much of the poignance and power of the film comes from his own abilities that often even make up for the script's lack in personal emotional investment. 
 
What is admirable about REMEMBER is that it is not the usual melodramatic Holocaust film, and that it focuses the gigantic historical tragedy on a character driven storyline. It is also able to infuse the script with a somewhat deceitful feelgood factor and subtle but enjoyable forays into humour. On top of this, the film finds occasional charming elements in some contemplative embellishment, such as WAGNER's music representing universal boundaries between culture and politics, or quiet satirical moments on the ease with which PLUMMER's character is able to get his hands on a gun and keep it despite being caught with it.

What it possibly lacks is a faithful examination of the mental condition which affects him - the fact that the main character has to keep reading a letter to remind him of everything is somewhat misguided. Nor is there any significant portrayal of the concern of his family for his well being, as they helplessly try to understand where he has disappeared to in his precarious condition. The series of encounters between the Holocaust survivor and the Nazis are intriguing, but their significance to the eyes of history is always downplayed, sometimes with great effect and avoiding an obnoxious air of self-righteousness. 

REMEMBER also features MARTIN LANDAU and BRUNO GANZ in solid supporting roles, the first as PLUMMER's confidant and the latter as one of the possible former SS officers. But the heavy handed use of MYCHAEL DANNA's admittedly gorgeous original score sometimes seems to upfront challenge their abilities, despite the fact that the acting is the best aspect of ATOM EGOYAN's film. But the visual style remains clinical, and doesn't show any of the flamboyance of the filmmaker's work, thus giving the film a type of chamber piece like outlook despite the grandeur of its central theme and the size of the travels undertaken by its central character.

REMEMBER is an easy watch, but probably not as stand out among the numerous other revisitations and ponderings on the issue of Holocaust than one might have hoped. This is mostly because despite the importance of the issues that it touches, it doesn't carry any powerful conclusion, nor does it really aim to, remaining more focused on the human side of the story and more human aspects of the themes guilt.