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Remember
by Marinell Haegelin

Directed by Atom Egoyan, Canada | Germany 2015

In this cohesive, well-structured story, two  nonagenarians living in a Jewish assisted-care home have connived an elaborate  plan. Reminding Zev (Christopher Plummer), Max (Martin Landau) urges him to  action. But, it is imperative that dementia-addled Zev follow wheelchair bound  Max’s hand-written, minutely specific instructions. Initially, all proceeds  smoothly. Zev’s first slip-up is averted through his young seat companion’s  help. Conversely, his son deals with Zev’s annoying disappearance sure he  cannot be far. In Cleveland, it turns out Rudy Kurlander #1 (Bruno Ganz) was in  North Africa with Rommel during World War II. Phoning afterward, Max reiterates  their goal—to track down the ex-Nazi guard living in America under an assumed  name. The avenger is thwarted again in Canada, and Idaho where his encounter  with a Nazi aficionado is perilous. For once, Zev calls and tells Max—with  their aim embedded in his head—retribution is at hand. In front of a  closely-knit audience, the nemesis indeed meets his match in a jaw-dropping,  remarkable finale.

The  milieu crafted by Canadian director Atom Egoyan, with Benjamin August’s amazing  screenplay, draws us into the wolf hunt as it unhurriedly reaches a crescendo.  Master thespians Plummer and Landau unselfconsciously occupy their characters,  with stellar support from the cast. Dean Norris, Jürgen Prochnow, Heinz Lieven,  and Ganz are very convincing, while cameo roles from children provide honesty,  and innocence. Working in equilibrium are Mychael Danna’s music, Paul Sarossy’s  camera, and Christopher Donaldson’s editing; their impressive collaboration  ensures clarity. Society’s perception of oldsters is poked-fun at, just as  preconceptions and inflicted prejudices are ostracized. Humorous bits are  carefully laced throughout deflecting downheartedness in this unforgettable  homage to genocide survivors. Scheduled for theatrical release in the USA and  Europe, do see Remember should it  open near you.