Read Mixed User Reviews for The Debt (2011)

6

TVJerrySep 2, 2011

It's a bit deceptive to give Helen Mirren star billing, because she's only onscreen for the first and final few minutes (although she IS a star and the fulcrum character). The majority of the film follows three Mossad agents with the missionIt's a bit deceptive to give Helen Mirren star billing, because she's only onscreen for the first and final few minutes (although she IS a star and the fulcrum character). The majority of the film follows three Mossad agents with the mission of capturing a Nazi war criminal living in '60s East Berlin. It's bookended 30 years later, when the trio deals with their shameful secret. Although the story is interesting, the pacing is lax and the few mildly tense scenes aren't worth the payoff. The uniformly strong cast enhances the narrative, but a shorter, tauter film would have been more effective.… Expand

5 of 5 users found this helpful50

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5

JamesLOct 3, 2011

Well this was absolutely nothing new and you knew the story line early on. They spent way too much time on the first attempt to kill the doctor and left the suspense of the second attempt to a cheap trick you have seen a million times inWell this was absolutely nothing new and you knew the story line early on. They spent way too much time on the first attempt to kill the doctor and left the suspense of the second attempt to a cheap trick you have seen a million times in other movies. This subject has been covered a million times and covered a million times better. Go when there is really nothing else to see. That is what we did. Even then it still plays out as only average.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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5

EludiumQ36Apr 13, 2013

"The Lie" would've been a more appropriate title. It's a decent enough film but doesn't raise the bar in any area. I'm not a fan of temporal-settings (ie, jumping from settings in the past and present) because it does more to upset the viewer"The Lie" would've been a more appropriate title. It's a decent enough film but doesn't raise the bar in any area. I'm not a fan of temporal-settings (ie, jumping from settings in the past and present) because it does more to upset the viewer than to tell a coherent story. And sorry, but the fight between two ancients at the end was comically reminiscent of the "Family Guy" episode where Mr Herbert fights the old nazi that lives next door.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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4

emcoffey3Jan 21, 2012

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I had high hopes for The Debt, which is why I'm sorry to give it such a low rating. It's billed as a thriller, but the parts that are supposed to be thrilling never really had me on the edge of my seat. Part of the problem stems from the "revised history" they show the audience at the beginning of the film. This alludes to a portion of the story that it then takes them roughly an hour to actually reach, so everyone is well aware of where the movie will eventually go. Also, I was a little put off by the deception perpetrated by the main characters. Essentially, the "good guys" don't come off as very good at all. Long story short: The Debt suffers from some poor pacing and awkward storytelling. And it's a bit of a downer.… Expand