Ever since “Valkyrie” was announced, the movie has stirred a lot of buzz.
First, its release date was moved several times until it was set for Christmas day. Who would have thought? A film about Nazis and Hitler does not have anything to do with the jolly season, but the advertising and the big names on the cast list seem to outshine the usual holiday distractions.
In addition, everybody appeared to be preoccupied with regard to the nature of “Valkyrie” and whether it is a movie that carries historical connotation or merely a package of explosions.
However, the biggest issue that comes to surface is Tom Cruise’s negligent performance that does not match his outstanding reputation as an incredible actor who can deliver emotions and veridicity. The supporting cast, which includes Christian Berkel, Kenneth Branagh and Kevin McNally, on the other hand, does an incredible job and may be credited for the general beauty of the movie, whose weakest link is definitely Tom Cruise.
The actor does not fill the shoes of his character properly. They are either too tight or too loose, but he never seems to find a balance between his acting and his character’s actions.
Tom Cruise’s Col. Claus von Stauffenberg, who led a conspiracy to take out Hitler, bears a dreadfully appalling contemporary wrap that clashes with the true significance of the film and somehow outshines the historical implication of the happenings.
The film, nevertheless, is marvelously constructed, in spite of the fact that the script by Christopher McQuarrie, who was awarded with an Oscar for writing “The Usual Suspects,” fails to stretch out its incentive and stimulus and somehow loses itself in the midst of political plots.
Col. Claus von Stauffenberg is portrayed as a trustworthy and hurt army officer who attaches great importance to Germany, but feels progressively more shocked by Adolf Hitler’s climb to supremacy. However, we never get to observe any interior conflict with regard to the fact that Stauffenberg gives up his duties and seems to have no second thoughts, although he endangers himself and his family by taking part in the assassination plan. He joins the German Resistance on the last of numerous ineffective schemes to remove Hitler from power. Moreover, he intends to plant a bomb and lead an administration transformation known as Operation Valkyrie.
“Valkyrie” displays a flawless production design and a brilliant depiction of German locations, such as the Bendlerblock in Berlin, where Operation Valkyrie started and where members of the anti-Nazi opposition were killed after it failed. Everything about the film gives the impression of breadth and ampleness, as it shifts fluidly without inspiring inflexibility by any means.
