Melancholia

The title of this film does not do it justice. It is a gritty political thriller dealing with assassination. It examines the central characters motivations but does not offer any easy endings or comfort. Not much dialogue but what there is is taut, and a wealth of looks and gestures from the actors make it a riveting film . Well shot with some interesting locations. Contains violence and swearing. Not for those of a sensitive nature!

I know that when I watch any film produced by the British Film Institute that I am going to have a problem viewing till the end, and so it proved in this case.when a film is as dull and boring as this it is impossible to keep your concentration so that rapidly you loose the plot. Also that low rumbling noise on the soundtrack becomes an infernal nuisance.

The only film directed by art cinema owner Andi Engel this deals with the disillusionment of the 1968-1973 generation 20 years on, through the medium of a thriller. Keller, an already somewhat embittered and withdrawn former '70's radical, is called upon by his old comrades in a Baader-Meinhof-type organisation to assassinate a South American torturer who is on a visit to London. The film debates the use of violence as a means to an end, from the perspective of different individuals and generations. Largely shot on location in London, this allows Krabbe centre stage and he gives the best performance I have seen from him, as a man struggling with depression, disorientation and the loss of ideals.

Engel also co-wrote the film, a very promising debut which for whatever reason he never followed up. Perhaps it's the only movie he had in him, if so he did well to quit while he was ahead with this excellent piece of work.