The Debt


3.5/4

Starring: Helen Mirren, Jessica Chastain, Sam Worthington, Marton Csokas, Jesper Christensen, Tom Wilkinson, Ciaran Hinds

Rated R for Some Violence and Language

The best thrillers are not about stunts and special effects (although those can be fun), but about character.  “The Debt” is a psychological thriller about the choices we make, and the consequences of that follow.  Nothing in this film is truly original per se, but it is well-told, and the characters are sharply defined and well acted.

In 1997, Rachel Singer (Mirren), Stephan Gold (Wilkinson) and their friend David Peretz (Hinds) are heroes to the Israeli people.  Thirty one years ago, they tracked down Doktor Bernhardt (Christensen), the notorious Surgeon of Birkenau.  Although the plan was to capture him and bring him back to Israel for trial, Bernhardt escaped and was shot dead by Rachel during the ensuing struggle.  Or so the story goes…

Because I don’t want to give away an important plot twist that occurs halfway through the film, I will tread as lightly as I can.  The film tracks two storylines: the mission in 1962, and events that take place thirty years later.  What’s interesting is that both storylines are equally compelling.  The film doesn’t lose energy once we know what really happens; in fact, an argument can be made that it gains energy because we know what’s at stake.

The cast, made up of acting legends and up and coming stars, is first rate.  The character at center stage is Rachel, and she is superbly played by Jessica Chastain (who has had four movies come out this year) as a young Mossad agent, and Helen Mirren as an adult.  Both actresses are skilled in using their faces to convey their emotions, and that is key for the role.  Neither one is better or worse than the other, which is crucial for getting the audience to believe that they are the same character separated by thirty one years.    Marton Csokas is very good as Stephan, the leader of the group.  He’s a determined alpha male, and is set on finishing the mission at whatever the cost.  Tom Wilkinson, the reliable character actor that he is, is a solid match for Csokas; like Mirren, it’s easy to believe that he’s an older version of Stephan.  Up until now, Sam Worthington has been known as an action hero (“Avatar” and the “Clash of the Titans” remake) with the requisite limited range.  Surprisingly, he’s quite effective as the secretive and aloof David.  While it’s not particularly believable that Worthington would turn into Hinds, it’s not a misfire either (and it helps that Hinds is an exceptional actor).

Madden makes it clear from the get-go that this is a psychological thriller.  He uses common storytelling techniques against us; we’re never quite sure whether what we’re seeing is really the truth.  The best instance of this is when the Rachel, Stephan and David have to face off against Bernhardt (this is not a spoiler, since it’s in the trailer). Bernhardt is wily and clever, and he uses their hatred of him to mess with their minds (Christensen plays him like Hannibal Lector).  Although he is tied up, he is not defenseless.

The film’s flaws are few.  While what Madden does with unconventional storytelling techniques is clever and mostly effective, they sometimes work against the film later on.  Additionally, the love triangle between Rachel, Stephan and David is so shortchanged that it’s almost not worth leaving in.

Still, this is a truly amazing thriller.  The suspense is genuine and sustained, and the moral questions that the film poses are provocative.  This, and “Warrior,” have made it clear that Oscar season has officially begun.

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