Taking Sides
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Movie Reviews of Taking Sides
Movie Review: Appalling Revisionism
Summary: 2 Stars
Taking Sides is based on the story of the de-Nazification trial German conductor Wilhelm Furtwangler.
For those who don't know, Furtwangler refused to leave Germany after the Nazi regime took power, turning down an offer to succeed Arturo Toscanini as conductor of the New York Philharmonic. He also declined membership in the Nazi party. Walking a tightrope, he conducted for Adolf Hitler's 53rd birthday, while refusing to give the Nazi salute. Furtwangler's position was that politics and art must be kept separate. Beethoven would have disagreed and there are very few artists today, musical or otherwise, who would support Furtwangler's contention.
Stellan Skarsgard neither looks like Furtwangler, acts like Furtwangler, nor makes any attempt to replicate the conductor's idiosyncratic baton technique. Harvey Keitel gives a one-dimensional performance as Major Arnold, who was in charge of prosecuting, or in the filmmakers' view, persecuting the conductor.
From the start, the Americans, with the exception of a German born American, are portrayed as culturally retarded, tone deaf, and driven by vengeance. It is shameful that such a distinguished cast would consent to perform in such a ham handed display of anti-American fatuousness.
Furtwangler's role -- or lack thereof -- in Nazi Germany has been examined from many sides and merits serious discussion, not only for Furtwangler's culpability -- or lack thereof -- but as commentary of the role of the artist in society in general. This film, which provides neither balance nor depth, does not advance that discussion.
Movie Review: Keitel drums
Summary: 2 Stars
Thanks to Ronald Harwood for bringing up the Furtwangler question, but too bad that this "opened up" and expanded screen version fails--even as did his original play--by establishing the center of gravity, not in the German conductor's character, but in Harvey Keitel's toed-out brogans. The investigating officer is portrayed as a carpet-chewing, Ugly American jack-ass, rabidly, single-mindedly dedicated to the shredding of Wilhelm Furtwangler, and there is never any attempt to even suggest why WF became the target of this hatchet job when so many high profile, Party member artists so quickly had their tickets punched: "de-Nazified".
Stellan Skarsgard tries valiantly to save the film with a thoughtful, nuanced performance as WF, but it is really, perversely, All About Harvey and his Big Brass Band.
The frequently un-focused nature of this sometimes almost amateurish production is high-lighted--if not epitomized--by a night club scene shoe-horned, with Zanuck-like non-necessity, in the middle of things with wonderfully prodigal casting. Dressed down as a uniformed USO chanteuse, but no whit erotically suppressed for all the blandness of her outfit, the sultry Rinat Shaham squanders her considerable contralto talents on a throaty rendition of "Route 66", a silly novelty number of the `40's to which the years have been singularly unkind.
Movie Review: Disappointing film fails to inform or entertain
Summary: 2 Stars
I generally concur with Mr. Ritter's review of the film. He provides a balanced and accurate over-view of the movie and its numerous deficiencies. He is especially accurate in stating that the film is about the the American "investigator", who determines at the outset that only a conviction will meet the Yankee stadards of justice. One has to wonder how closely this film tracks actual events. If your interest is learning anything about Mr. Fultwanger, don't bother to watch the film. You won't acquire any knowledge of one of the 20th Century's finest conductors or his art from this film. The film is unbelievable in portraying a genius as someone unable to effectively defend himself. Fultwanger is portrayed as a man of average intellect. The Germans in the film who respect the great conductor are portrayed as naive children. Mr. Ritter is overly charitable in awarding this film two stars. It is a solid one star effort. I watched it one time and took it directly to the used DVD store near my house.
Movie Review: Wretched, amateurish. Save your money.
Summary: 1 Stars
If you have the slightest feeling for classical music, you will want to stay as far away from this film as you can get. Keitel's ranting sweeps everything before it, his Philistinism, bullying, and utter stupidity are painful to watch, and completely gratuitous--or would be if "Taking Sides" were not such an abyss. No important musical, philosophical or political question is raised except in an irritating and dumbed-down version that wouldn't pass muster on the Rush Limbaugh show. Decent performances by others and one or two good scenes just make it worse. Save your money--this is AWFUL!
PS: If you must buy "Taking Sides" anyway, do me a favor, OK? Wait till you watch the movie before hitting that "Not Helpful" button. You'll be looking for the "Wish We'd Taken His Advice" button, mark my words.