The commandant of Auschwitz, Rudolf Höss, and his wife Hedwig, strive to build a dream life for their family in a house and garden next to the camp.
Rewatching this movie, I realize how dead wrong I was about it. Not only did I not put it the TOP 10 movies of 2023 list, but I also failed to mention it in my honorable mentions. I’m embarrased, honestly. I really am. First viewing, I didn’t like the movie that much at all. I must have had a bad day that day and watched and reviewed this movie kind of half-assed. Maybe I was even influenced by other people being frustrated after the movie with how slow and boring it was, which, I 1000% agreed on then. But not now. Looking back, I was an idiot.
Now that I’ve seen it again, I really liked this movie. The movie has a lot of good going for it. It is quite possibly the most relevant movie in recent years, especially with what’s happening in the world now. No violence is shown, but, the implications on what’s going on and the sounds of screaming and gunfire and the chimney smoke and fire in the distance coming from behind those walls while the bad guys are living the perfect happy life is truly unsettling. It shook me to my very core. Kind of like the world turning a blind eye now.
Speaking of positives about this movie, the cinematography by Lukasz Zal is a thing of beauty. I was surprised that he wasn’t nominated here. Mica Levi for the music as well. Maybe the movie wouldn’t win in those categories at the end of the day, but, a nomination in these two categories is the least this movie deserves.
I again apologize for being too critical of this movie. Looking back now, I would put this movie at #2 when it comes to the best movies of 2023, putting it just behind Kiss The Future and just in front of Oppenheimer! 10/10*!!!
Director: Jonathan Glazer
Written by: Martin Amis, Jonathan Glazer
Starring: Sandra Hüller, Christian Friedel, Freya Kreutzkam, Ralph Herforth, Max Beck, Ralf Zillmann, Sascha Maaz, Lilli Falk, Marie Rosa Tietjen, Nele Ahrensmeier
Runtime: 105 minutes
