Jonathan F
These types of movies all seem to hit the same beats, partly because they're based on the same events. But it's the familiar rhythm of these ‘triumph of the human spirit' narratives that tends to make so many of them so maddeningly similar. The Survivor does something else, finding a different way of telling a familiar story through an intensely character-driven film. Driven predominantly by Ben Foster's ‘Harry.'
Less feel good than some will hope, but its on its surest footing when it veers into the visceral ache felt by all survivors. Well worth the watch made all the more timely by recent events.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
01/27/24
Full Review
Charlie L
Brilliantly acted story that everyone should witness.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
12/27/23
Full Review
richie v
UNA AGONIZANTE HISTORIA
Cada día de sus vidas se basaba en el contundente pensamiento de la muerte. Una muerte pobre, seca, cansada, injustificada. Pensamos que no había elección, sí que la había, obedecer o morir, y no sé cuál podría llegar a ser más rentable. Y al final cada judío destrozado injustamente debía preocuparse por su vacía esperanza de vida y conseguir salir del pozo más profundo en el que una persona podría caer hasta el día de hoy. Unos lo hacían por egoísmo y traición a sus compañeros, otros conseguían esas etiquetas pero el amor lo justificaba. Y todo esto para contarnos una sorprendente y emotiva historia de un polaco que lo convirtieron en boxeador contra judíos (cuyo futuro llegaría a pelear contra el inigualable Rocky Marciano), en uno de los campos de exterminio, solamente para el disfrute de los nazis.
Noto una ligera intención de cine comercial y convencional, con aspectos propios hollywoodienses, tampoco ponen como protagonista el boxeo sino el acontecimiento por el que tuvo que pasar, explicando porque tuvo que boxear y porque continuó haciéndolo una vez liberado, y también lo que le ocurrió con Schneider y el amor que sentía por esa hermosa joven que de repente se la arrebataron, es decir, el sentimiento de culpa y los recuerdos tenebrosos. Contándolo todo a varias personas que una de ellas es un entrevistador cuya intención me recuerda a la del muchacho que entrevistó a Louis, en Entrevista con el Vampiro.
Palabras interesantes y profundas son las que escucho durante la proyección, me adentro más en la historia al experimentarlas, me ocurre algo similar al contemplar la interpretación de Ben Foster y Vicky Krieps, todos están geniales, pero ellos están en negrita. Ese final lagrimoso es conmovedor.
Levinson recrea una historia real en la que podemos aprender de dos amores en períodos de tiempo muy lejanos de uno al otro, una inquietante decisión que convierte la supervivencia en culpabilidad y traición ligada al amor. Dónde no sale de lo convencional pero sí que aumenta su valor en comparación con este año. Es probablemente su mejor película en la última década.
RICHIE VALERO, SEPTIEMBRE 2023, ESPAÑA.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
10/08/23
Full Review
Mark T
It baffles me how much the human body can endure when its mind is focused on survival. Whats even more baffling is how that very mind can betray you when the battle is over. I can't even begin to imagine the pain and suffering the Jewish people went through during the Holocaust. I know this may be controversial… but fuck Hitler! This film is based on a True Story and it will really put our last couple of years in perspective. We think high gas prices, social distancing and family members passing due to the pandemic is so terrible. How about being treated like a mangy dog, having to watch your loved ones burned, gassed and in Hafts case be forced to fight in a gladiator style boxing circuit for the amusement of the German soldiers. Oh, and I know your family is dead but now you MUST fight your best friend to the death. Think about that next time you bitch about wearing a mask to eat at a restaurant. You'd imagine that coming out of all that suffering alive and well would make you feel ecstatic and appreciative of your life, but more commonly you are a victim of Survivors Guilt. Imagine that. You have quite literally made it out of hell due to how focused your mind was on survival and once free your mind betrays you and makes your daily life an internal hell.
Bio-pics are made because the story is worth telling. How the director tells that story is where things can get dicey. The story can be overshadowed by shitty directing or be magnified by a great director. The Survivor is an example of the story being better than the movie. Don't get me wrong, the movie is still good but I think its only good because of the story itself is so compelling and then is carried by Ben Foster's incredible performance.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
06/14/23
Full Review
Avindu G
The survivor doesn't have the sparkling spectacles of liberation but it got a clear revelation of survivor's day-to-day trauma. What's remarkable about this story is how it translates to modern lives dwelling in the cutthroat society, the guilt, helplessness and questionable consciences when thrown together produces a truly dramatic visualization of a life lived in two extremes in two different eras. Hertzka's painful struggle to start his life from where it was uprooted and Schneider's sociopathic obsession to live on his desires is a clear provocative constrasts. The remarkable performances, flawless story and clever visual set-up put this movie higher up in ranks.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
04/15/23
Full Review
Michael W
This sports movie was great. Ben Foster, Vicky Krieps, Billy Magnussen, Peter Sarsgaard, John Leguizamo, Danny Devito, and the rest of the cast did a great job in this movie. This true story about boxer Harry Haft was dramatic, tragic, and terrifying. It's about fighting to survive during a dark time in history. If you haven't seen this movie yet, check it out sometime. It's a definite must see.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
04/03/23
Full Review
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