Der Commissioner - Im Zentrum der Macht

For me, this is one of those films that you start watching and half an hour later, wonder if you should watch or do something else. But I stuck with and found it "so-so" viewing. John Hurt played his role well as did Mueller-Stahl (he was great in "Shine"). The plot takes a few unexpected twists that I did not foresee. However, what disappointed me was the predictability of some parts of the story (e.g. the fate of some characters), the superficiality of some of the characters' interrelationships, and the generally cheap look and feel of the production. A pet hate was the stereotyped Texan businessman in a Stetson - also poorly acted. The movie lacked a certain flow and left some issues hanging unnecessarily. Anyway, see for yourself.

There are some interesting twists in the movie, so there was a lot of thought put into the plot. Unfortunately, the execution did not live up to the potential provided by the plot. Actually, the plot of the movie is just as pertinent today as it was 10+ years ago of corporations with ties to politicians being able to be above the law. However, the script, the dialog, the pace, and the acting all left a little to be desired. Even the performance of the distinguished John Hurt seemed average at best. This seemed more along the quality of a made-for-TV movie. The redeeming value of the movie was that it has the theme that one must do things for the right reason, but it was rather painful process to get there.

John Hurt is wasted in this German-English-Belgian low-budget, poorly produced drama/thriller. Hurt does his best, and the basic idea from the novel is sound, but this film is a failure in most respects (If you want an example of how this sort of thing MIGHT have been done, chase up the original English TV series of 'Edge of Darkness') For a start the production values are awful. It's sub-TV. In one scene a camera pans to the left, obviously bumps into something, wobbles, and the six producers and co-producers (not to mention editor, director) either didn't notice or didn't care. The sound, in some scenes, is filled with the sort of ambient noise you really don't want: noises which ought not be heard make their way in.

Supporting actors are at best adequate; at worst painful.

In theory it ought to work, given a budget, but it ends up a tiresome shambles. Without Hurt it would be unwatchable. Gods know why maybe the best male actor of the early-mid 80's was reduced to this sort of thing.

Minister James Morton is sent to Brussels as the new British European Commissioner retreating from a government scandal. He is disappointed with his new portfolio as Commissioner for industry. That is until Helena Noguentes appears as the new Commissioner for the Environment. Add to this a media manipulation, a potential international disaster, high level corruption and a dash of American cavalier capitalism it makes for good watching.

I hadn't come across this until I saw it on cable - definitely worth a watch. Hurt virtually holds up the rest of the cast throughout although a good performance is put in by David Morrisey. This has been Sluizer's only attempt at making a film in English and is commendable. Moves well back and forth from location in London to Brussels.

Lets face it how many films could they make interesting about the EC?

Although it starts as a rather typical political thriller, in which the good and bad guys are singled out from the very beginning, "The Commissioner" is in fact quite different: In this film, the lines of good and bad are not only blurred, but through a series of multiple plot twists, our perceptions for the characters involved change constantly.

"The Commissioner" is about the story of James Morton (Hurt), a minister in the UK government who after being forced to resign from his post, is offered the position of Commissioner in the EU. He accepts the offer only after he is promised by his Prime Minister that he will hold the Foreign Affairs portfolio; however, upon his arrival in Brussels he finds out that he gets Industry instead, and that the UK PM actually lobbied for that. Despite his disappointment, and despite a wrecked marriage with his wife Isabelle (Krige) who declines even to follow him in his new home, he devotes his full energy in his new post. And soon, the first challenge faces him: He is handed evidence that a German chemical company, which is about to merge with a British one, is involved in the production of chemical and biological weapons. Assisted by his soon-to-become girlfriend Helena Moguentes (Pastor), the Environmental Commissioner, they begin a crusade to uncover the truth. However, in the process he discovers that people are not what they seem; not only that, but even the truth is not what it seems...

The clever plot twists make the movie very suspenseful and interesting. Moreover, the performances are generally good, although I must admit that I found Rosana Pastor a bit unsatisfactory in her role.

All in all a good film. 7/10.