A Most Wanted Man [Bluray + Digital HD]

Was missing a highlight but enjoyed it

A superbly acted film. Apparently the last film before Phillip Seymour Hoffman committed suicide or over-dosed on drugs. I first became aware of his dynamic and forceful acting talent in the film: The Talented Mr. Ripley. A friend of a man killed brutally by the protagonist, excellently played by Matt Damon as a believable sociopathic guy, Hoffman was aggressively pushing against the paradigm that who the police thought was a suspicious character, was in fact, the killer. The cast included Jude Law, of course, and Gwenneth Paltrow as exasperated participants in a bloody game. Seymour Hoffman in "A Most Wanted Man" is relentless as a spy of a special unit in the German Government. This unit was outside the normal intelligence services, part Counter Intelligence, part Operational Intelligence, all of the German bureaucrats acting under the cloud that they had allowed three Al-Qaeda terrorists to plan & operate inside Germany prior to the September 11, 2001 attack on the United States. As such, the Bush assertion that "you're either with us or against us," magnified by an evil Dick Cheney, and the CIA's complete break with past rules on interrogation, rendition, secret prisons, enhanced interrogation techniques and Machiavellian manuvers had put the hammer down, balls to the walls, whatever it takes to round these terrorists up. Hoffman's character is willing to lie and manipulate his own sources, but he is more focused on the "barracuda" who is in the film a Muslim cleric with a"moderate" veneer who others are willing to accept at face value. Issa, the hapless Chechen illegal immigrant, is seen, through the film, as just that ... hapless. Hoffman believes the cleric is a funnel for illegal funds that are laundered en route to al-Qaeda operatives. He seem intent on proving that point. However, the CIA, which is pulling even bigger strings, double crosses him in a deal against other German bureaucrats who want nothing to do with possibly allowing another operation against the U.S. to happen. They will cooperate with the CIA because the CiA has become ruthless & will punish anyone "against us." Hoffman's character is a hard drinker, hard smoker. If Hoffman was that aggressive an addict, as a recovering addict, I feel sorry for him. Prior to his death, I may have heard he was an addict in recovery. As with so many actors, they manage to not name the 12 step program they're successful with (which is an adherence to our traditions to not identify our affiliation with a specific 12th group at the level of press, radio, TV, film, internet). If he did that delicate dance, it may have been harder for him to walk in a room of AA or NA. As such, he may have simply begun a long, slow slide to overdose. Too busy with his career, he chose roles, I suspect, that fit the personna of the guy who uses drugs and gains power from that use. He forgot he was powerless. Perhaps, in the end, he represents powerlessness v. hopelessness, when all his efforts disintegrate. Wilhelm Dafoe is also an excellent surprise. Robin Wright plays a superbly amoral CIA agent ...one who will operate with very few rules, to ensure that the world is "a bit safer" under the new Bush-Cheney guidelines that THEY define the parameters for such safety ... i.e., the American definition is the one that counts. Anything less, will bring betrayal of even friends who believe they've made deals but want their own payoff ... the "baracouda" in this case wasnt enough of a catch. The CIA wanted who fed the baracouda. And even who fed the feeder of the baracouda. Down that road lies torture and Guantanamo. Even at this time, those men like Issa may still linger in Guantanamo. That net caught many who were minor players. But with someone like Dick Cheney still rolling around, pleased with the results of that era, the shadow of September 11, still looms large. Hoffman's character simply couldn't or wouldn't go that far. In the end, he lost. In the end, like Health Ledger, Hoffman may have given up his life for his desire to act so firmly. Personally, I'm always sad to see public figures die because they won't stay with "recovery" as their primary mission. Robin Willams and Health Ledger are just two more. All, great losses.

Love Philip Seymour Hoffman. May he forever rest in peace.This movie had great acting. It was slow but it was richly built all the way through, however the ending is what ruined this for me as it left too many loose ends. I don't know about anyone else but I want to know what happens to some of the characters. The story was built and everything was in place for a decent climax. At the last moment the scale was tipped and left me asking "Is that really the end? Seriously?" There was no conclusion so it felt like the movie didn't have an ending. It just stopped. Due to the ending I'm still deciding if I just wasted my time watching this movie...I hate feeling that way.Also I don't see why everyone is saying this was one of PSH's best. I think this movie was not at his usual levelIt's a shame they can't make a second one to answer these questions due to the fact that PSH is the main character and well...yeah. I mean they could if they made Issa or Annabelle the new main character and come up with an excuse for PSH's absence. (but with these reviews I'm sure they won't make a second one. The overall stars I mean)I think I've come to the conclusion that I wasted my time watching this after typing everything out. This was a one time watch for me**********************SPOILER ALERT************************Also the questions that shouldve been answered are:Who's the bigger fish?Why did they betray him?What happens to Issa?What about the Abdullah's son? Is this going to ruin their father son relationship? Will his Abdullah see this as a betrayal?What about everyone who believed in PSH's character?What about he, himself?Annabelle tried to fight back for once. How will she fight next to try to save Issa?Does Issa think Annabelle betrayed him now?Will Issa be proven innocent? Is he truly innocent or is there something more?Him giving Annabelle his mother's bracelet to me seemed to be his way of saying not only "I trust you" but also "I love you". I mean honestly I was waiting for a proposal or something though for a movie it fits. In real life it's too soon

well I am a huge JlC fan and this film didn't disappoint at all. PSH plays such a terrific part in this and as the film moves along you get the impression that something bad will happen at the end. I wont spoil it but if you love John Le Carre go out and buy it. Not as good as the book but very in the place and time. excellent

PSH is brilliant as the shambling, chain smoking head of a German secret service unit chasing shadows. Amy McAdams struggles to bring the same intensity but the whole cast make up for that. Beautifully shot. Loved the book and also the film which doesn't happen often. Some dodgy German accent moments too.

Sadly a memorial to Philip Seymour Hoffman... Great (as usual) John le Carre story, very well acted by a really good quality cast. No gratuitous violence, no flashy SFX... just a well crafted story. If you like Tinker, Tailor etc., this is well worth a watch.

Tbh I didn't reckon much to it. Acting was generally good but I always felt I was waiting for something to happen. Glad I didn't go to the cinema or pay a lot for the did. Would I watch again ....nah

I loved this film. It was terrific entertainment. Philip Seymour Hoffman was tremendous. Tension, excitement and a gripping story-line, It had it all. Highly recommended.