A Most Wanted Man

Name: A Most Wanted Man
Genre: Thriller
Released: July 25, 2014
Duration: 122 min
Rating: 73
Cast: Daniel Brühl, Philip Seymour Hoffman

2014

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 42 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 167 Ratings

See All

7.0

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

7.0	Your Score
7.0	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 167 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Play Sound

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

A Most Wanted Man

Now Playing: A Most Wanted Man

Movie Details & Credits

Roadside Attractions | Release Date: July 25, 2014 | R

Starring: Daniel Brühl, Philip Seymour Hoffman

Summary: When a half-Chechen, half-Russian immigrant turns up in Hamburg's Islamic community, laying claim to his father's ill-gotten fortune, both German and US security agencies take a close interest: as the clock ticks down and the stakes rise, the race is on to establish this most wanted man's true identity - oppressed victim or destruction-bentWhen a half-Chechen, half-Russian immigrant turns up in Hamburg's Islamic community, laying claim to his father's ill-gotten fortune, both German and US security agencies take a close interest: as the clock ticks down and the stakes rise, the race is on to establish this most wanted man's true identity - oppressed victim or destruction-bent extremist?… Expand

Director: Anton Corbijn

Genre(s): Thriller

Rating: R

Runtime: 122 min

See All Details and Credits

Watch Now

Stream On

Buy on

Stream On

Expand

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

100

Kenneth Turan

Jul 24, 2014

[A] crackerjack thriller, at once brooding, claustrophobic and unbearably tense. Read full review

Calvin Wilson

Jul 24, 2014

The rare film that will remain on your mind long after you’ve left the theater. Read full review

Steve Persall

Jul 24, 2014

Corbijn keeps the intrigue uncluttered, guided by Andrew Bovell's economical adapted screenplay. Read full review

Rene Rodriguez

Jul 24, 2014

Like most of le Carré’s novel, A Most Wanted Man has a veracity most spy thrillers lack, and the suspense is of the intellectual, not visceral, kind. Read full review

David Edelstein

Jul 25, 2014

What’s on display here is a great actor at his absolute peak — damn it all. Read full review

RogerEbert.com Brian Tallerico

Jul 25, 2014

Corbijn keeps the action of A Most Wanted Man at arms length or greater, never finding the heart of the piece despite mostly solid performances and strong production values. Read full review

Trevor Johnston

Jul 22, 2014

Disappointing plod of an espionage thriller. Read full review

SEE ALL 42 REVIEWS

Write a Review

User Reviews

TomHug

Jul 27, 2014

Hits on all cylinders. Acting, directing, cinematography, writing. Dimensional characters, tautly acted, against a great story. You can tell there was craft in the directing and cinematography, but it doesn't call attention to itself, rather choosing to serve storytelling.

4 of 5 users found this helpful41

GinaK

Jul 27, 2014

What held my attention during this film was the utterly compelling and completely believable performance of Phillip Seymour Hoffman – and I generally have fallen asleep in the middle of recent Le Carre adaptations. Certainly the film simplifies what I am sure was an even more complex storyWhat held my attention during this film was the utterly compelling and completely believable performance of Phillip Seymour Hoffman – and I generally have fallen asleep in the middle of recent Le Carre adaptations. Certainly the film simplifies what I am sure was an even more complex story than in the original book, but I thought the direction was stylish and kept things interesting and moving along. I also thought the entire cast gave fine performances. The audience was silent and for once I didn’t have anybody crawling over me to get a popcorn refill, but then the people around me looked like readers (a smallish theater in a megaplex was almost full). For once, a Le Carre adaptation I thoroughly enjoyed.… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

netflic

Aug 17, 2014

This is one of the best spy movies I have ever seen.
No crazy conspiracy theories, no incredible coincidences, no shootings. it is not a James Bond kind of a movie. Just routine work of a German intelligence officer with its ups and downs. But even though it seems slow, its grip on audienceThis is one of the best spy movies I have ever seen.
No crazy conspiracy theories, no incredible coincidences, no shootings. it is not a James Bond kind of a movie. Just routine work of a German intelligence officer with its ups and downs. But even though it seems slow, its grip on audience becomes tighter. Incredible performance of leading actors, notably of late Philip Seymour Hoffman. What a great actor we lost recently!

The only thing which I found somewhat annoying was that music was over-dramatic where it did not have to be.

Otherwise, close to a perfect movie.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

Justin765

Aug 6, 2014

Based on a John le Carré espionage novel of the same name, A Most Wanted Man follows a German intelligence officer in Hamburg as he attempts to prevent terrorists from attacking his city. The plot is woven with many unexpected turns and relies on realism to distinguish itself from itsBased on a John le Carré espionage novel of the same name, A Most Wanted Man follows a German intelligence officer in Hamburg as he attempts to prevent terrorists from attacking his city. The plot is woven with many unexpected turns and relies on realism to distinguish itself from its counterparts. This focus on realism is a refreshing change from the normal thriller template, but it in turn has its own set of drawbacks.

The foremost of them being pacing. The film drags on at a brutal pace. Although it attempts to create slow burning tension the result accumulates to a very slow two acts. To further enunciate the pacing problem, A Most Wanted Man never feels like if failure does come much would be lost. Various scenes attempt to create feelings of tension but these are mitigated by lack of a consequence for failure. Simply put, very little seems to be on the line.

A Most Wanted Man also has a slew of redeeming qualities. Take the late Philip Seymour Hoffman’s performance for example. His chain smoking, German accented portrayal of the fictional Günther Bachmann is both engaging and undeniably cold. His performance exemplifies true emotion and is one of the best in his outstanding career. The direction is also very polished and stylistic; and the score greatly complements the somber tone of the film.

Although Its focus on realism slows down the pace; this gives it time to propel the emotions of its lead characters. A Most Wanted Man excels through its poor pacing to become a worthy entry in the thriller genre.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

yonian

Sep 21, 2014

A cerebral movie, not for fans of big explosions and special effects. Assumes the viewer knows enough about Islam to understand at least "Allahu akbar" and "Insha'Allah". The plot development suggests vanity and ego motivated some characters who would in real life would care about nothingA cerebral movie, not for fans of big explosions and special effects. Assumes the viewer knows enough about Islam to understand at least "Allahu akbar" and "Insha'Allah". The plot development suggests vanity and ego motivated some characters who would in real life would care about nothing but money.

Philip Seymour Hoffman's performance was suburb, even putting aside respect for the dead. Willem Dafoe was also outstanding. Most of the other performances were above average. I agree with other reviewers here that Rachel McAdams was miscast and outclassed.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

Q8MarrongGlace

Oct 28, 2014

Good but not that good ,

It's a 90's kind of movies when people have no problem wasting time watching 2 hours movie but these days things are getting pretty fast so its better to represent your story in a decent limited time . When the story is short it is unlikely to force the movieGood but not that good ,

It's a 90's kind of movies when people have no problem wasting time watching 2 hours movie but these days things are getting pretty fast
so its better to represent your story in a decent limited time .

When the story is short it is unlikely to force the movie to be that long stuffed with unnecessary scenes 122 min is way too much I felt board more than once 90 min for that kind of story is more than enough adding some more thrill and
soundtracks effects suspense to attract the audience .

I thing the director could've make more out of it but after I checked
the kind of movies he did I'm no longer wondering why ... With all due
respect but you'll know what I mean after watching the movie .

Thanks… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

Broyax

Jun 12, 2019

Ce fillm est un brûlot anti-CIA et anti-américain comme on en a rarement vu. Il est déformé par son prisme angéliste permanent visant à nous faire prendre des vessies pour des lanternes : à se demander qui sont les méchants là-dedans si ce n'est la CIA ou les services allemands qui veulentCe fillm est un brûlot anti-CIA et anti-américain comme on en a rarement vu. Il est déformé par son prisme angéliste permanent visant à nous faire prendre des vessies pour des lanternes : à se demander qui sont les méchants là-dedans si ce n'est la CIA ou les services allemands qui veulent mettre en taule les terroristes... quelle idée franchement que de tenter d'attraper ces crevures en fait ?

En tout cas, le méchant, ce n'est pas non plus le gentil Tchétchène, frais migrant tout juste arrivé à Hambourg, car lui est victime des Russes, c'est-à-dire de la mafia russe et des militaires russes corrompus, ce qui revient au même (salauds de Russes, gentils Tchétchènes !). Comme le réalisateur ne pouvait pas nier entièrement les évidences, ni ignorer le terrorisme islamiste entièrement, il donne tout de même le gars Abdallah qui finance via ses ONG des choses pas très catholiques. Mais c'est juste "histoire de"...

De toute façon, le réalisme est ici grosso merdo très discutable, voire pas vraiment crédible pour un euro. Ce service de renseignements allemand qui retourne le banquier et l'avocate ? une avocate qui ressemble à tout sauf à une avocate : j'aurais plutôt dit une pétasse et blondasse qui ramasse les migrants à la soupe populaire, rien de plus. Le-dit service se fait doubler régulièrement par la Police allemande et la CIA de toute façon : qu'est-ce qu'ils sont méchants ceux-là... c'est insupportable !

Bref, c'est du foutage de gueule de A à Z, par ailleurs très lent et qui passe son temps à faire son Caliméro. La fin touche le fond avec les gros 4x4 de la CIA-NSA-FBI en plein Berlin ! bah bien sûr, c'est un complot, on vous dit : le 11 septembre, c'était un coup (fumant) de la CIA.

C'est vraiment n'importe quoi et nul à chier, cette merde !… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

SEE ALL 47 REVIEWS