Review of A Most Wanted Man (2014) by Adam S — 07 Sep 2014

"A Most Wanted Man" is a smart, engrossing, often confounding, but overall grade-A, nail-biting thriller boasted by a terrific performance by Philip Seymour Hoffman. It is possible that he might be nominated for an Oscar in Best Actor category next January.

Tragic events are happening relentlessly in Hollywood these days, namely the death of Joan Rivers and the one and only Robin Williams (O captain! My Captain!) But before these two, Hoffman, 46, passed away earlier this year from drug overdose. We can get to see his amazing talent for the last time in the upcoming Hunger Games movies "Mockingjay Part 1 & 2", but this is his last time shining as a leading role. You are terribly missed, sir.

The Oscar-winning actor plays Günther Bachmann, a German intelligence operative. Since 9/11, he and his team have been tracking the Muslim community in Hamburg, where the attack on America was formulated. When a refugee from Chechnya enters Hamburg to collect his father's fortune, a lot of people get drowned into Günther's scheme including Annabel Richter (Rachel McAdams, breaking her stereotypical image), an immigrant lawyer, a banker (Willem Dafoe, always brilliant), and Martha Sullivan (Robin Wright, quiet but intimidating), an American attache who always looks like she's up to something.

Based on John le Carré's spy-thriller novel, "A Most Wanted Man" will keep you on the edge of your seat from the start to finish; it can be slow at times, but there is never a dull moment in this movie. Tension and mind games maximize the suspense. The script, Corbijn's solid direction, the performances, cinematography, editing style, the score, it's all top-notch.

But of all, what makes this movie so fascinating to watch is Hoffman's magnificent performance. His German accent, subtle facial movement, the boozing, the chain-smoking, he is flawless.

It is by far my favorite thriller of the year so far. It's a knockout.