Should one ignore past atrocities and move on or continue
targeting those who perpetuated evil at a personal cost? This is a
question ‘Labyrinth of Lies’ effectively tackles. By exploring a person’s
mission in bringing former German Nazi officers to justice, it presents a
myriad of intriguing themes for viewers to ponder. ‘Labyrinth of Lies’
crafts a compelling narrative about the nature of national loyalty and those
who carry out awful deeds under its name.
In 1958, Germany is still dealing with the scars of World
War 2. Grappling with the after-math is young public prosecutor Johann
(Alexander Fehling). Taking on the cases of dozens of survivors of the
Auschwitz death camp, he targets his zeal towards the soldiers and doctors who
worked there. Finding his efforts continually frustrated by former Nazis
still working in government, he is helped by journalist Simon (Johannes
Krisch). Johann’s actions ruffle feathers as his quest for justice forces
him to question his place in post-war Germany.
‘Labyrinth of Lies’ lives up to its title in depicting a tangled
story full of emotional dilemmas. As Johann sifts through survivors’
evidence he pieces together a puzzle of vile complicity. This reveals an
interesting moral road-block in deciding if the Nazi soldiers were forced to do
their deeds or were eager participants. Life is ever black and white as
‘Labyrinth of Lies’ starkly shows. The interference of government officials
adds an element of danger to Johann’s mission as the tools of bureaucracy is
used to further rattle fading Nazi power.
The direction and performances considerably aid in
presenting facts in a non-hysterical manner. No over-used orchestration
or emotion is used as the damning evidence piles up. ‘Labyrinth of Lies’
has an atmosphere of sadness but also a message of hope that justice eventually
prevails. There are many Johanns out there willing to right past wrongs just
as the former Nazis he meets are all too willing to smother past
atrocities. The re-writing of history is also something the movie conveys
with today’s modern world of mis-information disturbingly paralleled in the screenplay.
‘Labyrinth of Lies’ is consistently engaging and unafraid in
forcing viewers to discover brutal facts. The actions of Nazi officers
were appalling but so is the ignorance of those wanting to hide the past.
Only when old wounds are healed can one truly move on which this film
commendably tells.
Movie Review Rating out of 10: 8
Movie Review by Patrick Moore
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