Operation Finale

If this substance got into Steven Spielberg's hands, it could have been a second Munich however, this doesn't mean Operation Finale is a bad film. Not at all. The story has something to say, it's very well shot and helps itself with great music by Alexander Desplat, and the acting cast is ruled by Ben Kingsley and Oscar Isaac, although the others - lesser known actors - are not bad at all, and they were fine in their small roles. We still need to be reminded of some things and this is a good reminder... whether they stick to the facts or not. (03/16/2019)

The establishment and course of the operation look way too simplified, given how serious it was from the political and criminal points of view. Simplified in the manner of the overly genreconforming depiction of the characters to make the subject matter into something that will satisfy the audience. However, it is neither as chilling nor suspenseful as it should be first and foremost. It prefers to gain the viewer’s favour with its smooth craftsmanship rather than with a spellbinding dramatic experience. The highlights of the film are the intimate dialogue scenes between Oscar Isaac and Ben Kingsley, both of whom perform well, but even those won’t leave any lasting impression on the viewer. Still, I enjoyed watching it, while waiting for it to become something bolder and more vigorous. (10/30/2018)

Operation Finale ultimately surprised me. I expected a mediocre viewing experience that wouldn’t captivate me, and I was worried that the budget might be extremely low. But all those concerns faded over time. Essentially, it’s an intimate drama that portrays Adolf Eichmann, played by Ben Kingsley (and he does it superbly). And most importantly, Oscar Isaac plays the lead role. I’ve grown to greatly appreciate this actor over the past few years; he always delivers a convincing performance and exudes charm at every turn. Of course, I find it hard to believe that the operation unfolded exactly as depicted in the film; dramaturgically, a lot of things were probably added or adjusted to enhance the viewer's experience. But I’m not complaining... wherever the film could, it offered a tense atmosphere full of brilliant dialogue. It’s a rather unassuming movie that any film enthusiast should definitely not miss under any circumstances. I’d give it 80%. (07/04/2020)

Adolf Eichmann seems to be an attractive topic for films, as I’ve already watched an eponymous movie about him. But I must say that this one is superior in terms of acting performances. Oscar Isaac, Ben Kingsley and Mélanie Laurent are a good casting incentive for you to watch a story of a monster whose brain was wired very differently from normal people, and make you think about what Eichmann said or did. He is comparable, in my opinion, for example to the person of Breivik. Plus, Ben Kingsley can add another period flick to his filmography. I’m bowing down before him. (05/21/2020)

The film tackles a well-worn subject, so it’s tough for the creators to bring anything new to the table. They tried adding fiction and suspense to give the familiar story a fresh twist, but for me, it didn’t quite work. I get that a subtitled movie might flop in the U.S., but the English dialogue felt out of place and affected the film’s authenticity. Another major issue for me was Ben Kingsley. I like him a lot and think he's a fantastic actor, but I just couldn’t buy him as Adolf Eichmann. He’s nailed roles like Mahatma Gandhi and Itzhak Stern, but Eichmann? Not so much. I would’ve preferred a different actor in this key role. On the plus side, at least they didn’t cast an Irish Heydrich — that would’ve been worse. Ultimately, the biggest letdown was that the film didn’t leave much of an impact. It just sort of breezed by, which is a shame because this daring Mossad operation deserved a more compelling portrayal. / Lesson learned: It’s great when trains run on schedule, but sometimes it’s worth thinking about where they’re actually heading. (05/04/2024)