“Nuremberg” (3 stars out of 4)
James Vanderbilt’s “Nuremberg” is the story of a duel. Set during the months that followed the end of World War II, Vanderbilt’s film tells the true story of a military psychiatrist who was tasked with treating the captured Nazi officials prior to their trial for war crimes.
At first, Dr. Douglas Kelley (Rami Malek) is given simple orders: use his skills to prevent any of the prisoners from committing suicide before they can be held accountable for their actions. But as he digs into his responsibilities and becomes acquainted with Hermann Goring (Russell Crowe), Hitler’s second in command, it soon becomes clear that his insights will be used for additional purposes, and he may even be asked to violate his professional ethics in the process.
What isn’t apparent to a 21st century audience is that the famous Nuremberg Trials were not considered an obligatory exercise at the time. Many preferred that the captured Nazis be executed immediately, and some feared that giving them any opportunity to defend their actions might backfire on the Allies. The weight of this situation falls on the trial’s prosecutor, Supreme Court Justice Robert H. Jackson (Michael Shannon), who many feel is in line to be the next Chief Justice of the court.
And so, “Nuremberg” is less the story of the famous trials, and more the exploration of two key relationships that informed those trials. Kelley has to negotiate a dangerous relationship with a prominent Nazi in order to win enough trust to get Goring to confide in him, and he also has to manage the expectations of Jackson, who sees the trial as a “win at all costs” situation vital to prevent another German uprising in the future.
Thanks to some good writing and even better performances, “Nuremberg” works. It’s less a Point A to Point B story than a creative portrait of a key historical moment that offers historical insights in a memorable and unique way. The film is almost two and a half hours long, but because it isn’t driven by action, it doesn’t feel that long.
Crowe’s performance gives the film a compelling dynamic. Per the film, Goring is a charming narcissist, and Crowe’s additional familiarity puts the audience in a similar position to the doctor. You have to remind yourself that the smiling, jovial man with all the clever retorts was a key figure in the extermination of six million jews.
Luckily, “Nuremberg” does a good job of reminding viewers why the trials were taking place at all. Even in a muted PG-13 level, stock footage of concentration camps and their cleanup provide horrifying and vivid evidence that is still difficult to reconcile almost 100 years on.
The finished product is an engaging historical drama, driven by memorable performances. The focus on Kelley may leave some audiences wishing the film had gone into more depth with the trials themselves, and some material late in the film might be read as a pointed comment on our own current political climate. But in spite of some minor faults, “Nuremberg” has plenty to offer.
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“Nuremberg” is rated PG-13 for profanity and unsettling images of Holocaust atrocities.