Downfall

DOWNFALL (2004) - May 1, 2005
A powerful film about the last few weeks in Hitler's bunker at the end of World War II. It's nice to see Hitler portrayed not as a two-dimensional monster, but as a regular person; brutal in his policies and prone to bursts of rage, but also at times kind to those around him. It helps that Bruno Ganz's performance is quite excellent. The movie isn't only about Hitler however, but about several characters in and around the bunker at the end of the war (sort of a Nazi Magnolia). The movie is really well directed, though at around two and a half hours it feels a tad long, but that's a fairly minor complaint. ***1/2