In Darkness (2011)

Of course it is not a new "Schindler's List" as the protagonist is of a much smaller dedication in my opinion. This is not like "The Pianist", since the movie does not have the talent of Adrien Brody. I believe a lot of people including myself understand that it is not a GREAT movie. But still it's full of emotions, regrets, memories that many of us don't want to accept actually. I am absolutely convinced that the military drama must keep some traces (conclusions) in reasonable people's minds. If a trace wasn't left, then, the filming team did not cope with the task. No doubts this film did cope. So the conclusion is pretty simple: it is not a great but a GOOD military drama about Poland, Nazis, genocide, horror, dignity and of course love.I usually say about on-war movies that it is necessary to watch them, to remember and to be desperately willing (or to pray if you are a believer) to a similar never happens again. Never ever.7 of 10

Academy Awards nominee for Best Foreign Movie (Poland) about the true story of a Catholic Polish sewer man who helped a group of Jews survive for over a year in the sewer system underneath the Jewish ghetto.Excellent production design, good direction and good acting by the lead actor.However, I didn't feel the writing was good enough to hold a 140-minutes movie. It would have worked better as a much shorter film.Agnieszka Holland's older movie concerning the subject of the holocaust, "Europa, Europa (1990)" was much better, as far as I remember.

In Darkness is yet another film set during the Nazi occupation of war torn Poland. The Nazis have begun their mission of terror. Rounding up Jews and taking them to concentration camps where unfortunately, many of them lost their lives.Leopold is our main character. He decides to help a handful of Jewish people, doomed to the concentration camps. In order to avoid the same fate as six million others, the Jews are taken to the underground sewers in order to hide from the dangers above. The whole film has a very claustrophobic and suspenseful tone, that tells this wonderful tale of what good human beings are capable of doing during such horrific times. We have the usual betrayal of trust which just adds to the uncertainty that the film generates. These sorts of movies of seemingly ordinary human beings doing extraordinary things against injustice are very common, but In Darkness manages to create something that you haven't seen before, in an already tired sub genre.That takes some doing and as a result, In Darkness is a film to behold!

My last day in Savannah, I had the the misfortune of having to choose between seeing Lily Tomlin in person at a tribute/screening of "The Late Show" or seeing Agnieszka Holland's baity but promising Holocaust drama, "In Darkness." I chose the later with the hope that I would see Tomlin somewhere around town. I didn't spot her, but I am very pleased with my choice."In Darkness" tells the tale of Leopold Socha, a Catholic sewer worker in Lvov, Poland during the Nazi occupation. Along with his work partner, Socha (played magnificently by Robert Wieckiewicz) has begun breaking into the vacant homes of Jewish citizens that have been moved into the ghetto and stashing their valuables in the sewers for his own personal safekeeping. Meanwhile, as the Nazi's began their assault on the ghetto, a large group of Jews manage to dig down under their house and into the sewers where they are surprised by Socha just minutes after breaking through. Socha sees an opportunity to make some money and a deal is struck.The audience is introduced to so many characters in the first half hour, it can be a bit difficult to know who you really need to focus on. Aside from the obvious lead, Socha, it soon becomes apparent who the other main players are and you form your attachments appropriately. While you see Socha as a loving husband and hard-working father right off the bat, how he takes advantage of the already desperate crowd he finds beneath the city showcases him as a bit less than a hero. Having him forced on you as the unlikely protagonist allows for a great evolution to play out. Wieckiewicz gives us a deeply nuanced turn as he we watch him learn both the impact he has had on those in the darkness and the impact they have had on him.Visually, the movie is as dark as the name suggests. At least half of the film takes place in the sewers, thus evoking the proper sense of claustrophobia. A couple shots in particular felt nearly iconic to me; a woman in vivid blue running through the gray streets of the ghetto during the Nazi raid, Socha bringing a little girl up to the surface just enough to poke her head above the street. The production tips closer to minimalistic than lush, which works well under Holland's careful direction and in the bleak setting.The movie is very powerful and carries a scholarly tone that should allow it to maintain a presence in the genre for years. As far as the Academy is concerned, this is a sure bet for a Best Foreign Language nomination (as Poland's submission) and a definite contender to take home the trophy. Wieckiewicz would have a place on my ballot as well as considerations for the film in Best Picture and several technical categories. This would be a great film for the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival to add to their lineup.4.5 out of 5 stars.Check out more reviews by Cameron McAllister at Reel Georgia - www.ReelGA.com