January 20, 2009
The Pawnbroker (1964)
Should I see it?
Yes
.
Rod Steiger scored a Best Actor Oscar Nomination for his performance as Sol Nazerman, a Jewish pawnbroker who has been devastated by his experiences as a victim of the Nazi concentration camps. Sol suffers and takes out his pain by emotionally distancing himself from those around him and by attacking anyone who gets too close. Steiger establishes himself as one of the great actors of his generation with this brilliant performance. He crafts a character filled with overwhelming turmoil and manages to express the horror and pain in the man with an even delivery. Steiger's nuanced performance is something to behold, this is really one of the rare performances that stands out across the expanse of film history in my estimation.
Director Sidney Lumet keeps a tight grip on his story and much of the film is rather restrained. But when Sol has flashbacks to the nightmare of the Nazi camps or when he allows his emotions to boil to the surface, this restraint is dropped and gives the film some seriously powerful emotional punches. The images of the concentration camp may seem a little manipulative to today's audiences but I think they still work to great effect when kept in context of the film, in particular when you seriously consider what Lumet is trying to express.
If you're looking for something smart and moving I recommend this movie. This said, it is a hard film to get through on some levels. It is depressing - very depressing and some viewers may find it a little slow.
Yes
.
Rod Steiger scored a Best Actor Oscar Nomination for his performance as Sol Nazerman, a Jewish pawnbroker who has been devastated by his experiences as a victim of the Nazi concentration camps. Sol suffers and takes out his pain by emotionally distancing himself from those around him and by attacking anyone who gets too close. Steiger establishes himself as one of the great actors of his generation with this brilliant performance. He crafts a character filled with overwhelming turmoil and manages to express the horror and pain in the man with an even delivery. Steiger's nuanced performance is something to behold, this is really one of the rare performances that stands out across the expanse of film history in my estimation.
Director Sidney Lumet keeps a tight grip on his story and much of the film is rather restrained. But when Sol has flashbacks to the nightmare of the Nazi camps or when he allows his emotions to boil to the surface, this restraint is dropped and gives the film some seriously powerful emotional punches. The images of the concentration camp may seem a little manipulative to today's audiences but I think they still work to great effect when kept in context of the film, in particular when you seriously consider what Lumet is trying to express.
If you're looking for something smart and moving I recommend this movie. This said, it is a hard film to get through on some levels. It is depressing - very depressing and some viewers may find it a little slow.
Related Reviews:
Another movie involving The Holocaust
The Hiding Place (1975)
Other Critic's Reviews:
Three Movie Buffs
FilmCritic.com
Labels: film, holocaust, movie review, Rod Steiger
posted by Michelle Obama's Left Nut at 9:00 AM
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