Good Evening Mr. Wallenberg - 1990

Movie #150

4.5 stars

The story of Swedish businessman Raoul Wallenberg, who, in 1944, helped Jews in Budapest obtain Swedish passports to get them out of Adolph Eichmann's deadly path. Wallenberg's efforts helped save more than 60,000 people in Budapest's Jewish ghetto -- the most successful rescue of Jews during World War II. Aside from Winston Churchill, Wallenberg was the only other person ever to be made an Honorary Citizen of the United States.

Cast: Stellan Skarsgård, Károly Eperjes, Miklos Szekely B., Erland Josephson, Jesper Christensen, Ivan Desny, Katharina Thalbach, Franciszek Pieczka, Geza Balkay

Director: Kjell Grede

The main selling point of this film was that it didn't try and go overboard.  When you are dealing with such a tragic issue it is easy to try and outdo everything else that has been made.  Kinda like Boy in the Stripped Pajamas...it was trying to send a message.  With Good Evening Mr. Wallenberg, it is apparent that they did not try to top every other film that tackled the subject.  The film simply told a story...and the story in itself was moving.  Yes, the film was pretty violent at times but not in order to entertain or keep the story interesting...it was violent because it was portraying real events.  And it's sad to say...but you don't need to add a Hollywood plot to make this a good film.

In addition, I think another reason this film was so good was because it is foreign.  Tom Cruise was not hired to entertain us for 2 hours....Stellan Skarsgard prepared himself for the role in order to let more of the world know more about who Wallenberg was.

Skarsgard has said..."There is no overacting, only untrue acting."  He did a fabulous job.  In no way did he overact.  When I was watching the film I was unsure about his acting.  When people would be murdered it was as if Skarsgard was underacting...his character did not seem sad.  But looking back on his performance, it was perfect.  Every single day Wallenberg witnessed people being murdered.  If his reaction every single time was that of sadness then he could not be the most effective he could be.  In order to save people he needed to think of a way to make the Germans stop.

The acting as a whole in the film was superb.  The shots of Budapest added to the affect of the story....even if it was portrayed a little bit more gray then it really is.  The reason I am not giving this 5 stars is because it did drag a little bit...but that is also what added to its greatness...it was a non-Hollywood film.

Overall Recommendation:  If you're not in the mood for something lighthearted...then watch this film!

Interesting Fact about Wallenberg:
Wallenberg rented 32 buildings in Budapest and declared them to be extraterritorial, protected by diplomatic immunity. He put up signs such as "The Swedish Library" and "The Swedish Research Institute" on their doors and hung oversize Swedish flags on the front of the buildings to bolster the deception. The buildings eventually housed almost 10,000 people

And yes...Stellan Skarsgard is Alexander Skarsgard's father.  I guess you can kinda see it..