Valkyrie

From the outset this film didn't look too good to me. Potentially another vanity project for the Cruiser, (but then again, every film he makes is one, isn't it?) my initial reaction was a groan followed by a few expletives about Hollywood. Tom Cruise rarely gets involved in projects that could tarnish his business prospects (but then again, who would?). However, what's good for business can often be at odds with what a discerning cineaste craves for.

I will say that Valkyrie is certainly better than what I was expecting. It's nowhere near as bad as something like Pearl Harbor but it's also not as good as Paul Verhoeven's efforts (Soldier of Orange and Black Book) though I think Bryan Singer would like it to be. There are at least two actors from Black Book (Carice van Houten and Waldermar Kobus, the latter playing another Nazi, but this time a more sympathetic one. Van Houten fleetingly plays von Stauffenberg's wife).

Valkyrie reminded me a lot of Vehoeven's films, but without the trademark sex, flesh and sleaze. It's actually quite hard to see Bryan Singer in all this. I have always viewed him as the guy who made The Usual Suspects (such a great film). Maybe he just wanted to get the ball back over the net after Superman? If so, he's done a decent job in the apparent circumstances but he seems to have had his edge blunted since his fantastic debut film.

In context, this is disposable, multiplex, action adventure cinema, much like X-Men in that respect. I enjoyed it. It's perfect viewing for a Sunday evening or over Christmas. As events unfold it does become tense at times. There is a fair amount of talking and minimal violence in the middle, which could be a criticism but I felt that it made the final act less fantastical (that's a good thing). The accents used in the film are all over the shop. The Germans have British, American (Eddie Izzard…?!) and, funnily enough, German accents. Forgiven is the wrong word - this is a product, not a work of art. I let it slide.

It's easy to slag off Tom Cruise but he's done ok in this. This is no classic performance, it's nuts and bolts stuff, but Cruise seems to be better at playing characters who initially challenge your neighbourly friendliness. His best roles are people who you would rather see next Tuesday. Unsympathetic arrogant bastards - he's perfect for them. Magnolia, Top Gun, Cocktail, Tropic Thunder. Von Stauffenberg is fighting for the Germans in 1944 but he wants to top Hitler and follow through on a coup for leadership. Obviously a commendable act, you say. Sure, it is. Not good for Cruise, though. What would have been good for him is a character with questionable morals, wrestling with them. Having Cruise so cut and dried is just plain boring! He's at his best when he's fighting himself, as well as all in the world around him.

Links:
Valkyrie at IMDB
Valkyrie at Wikipedia
Valkyrie at Rotten Tomatoes
Valkyrie Trailer