Max

Max is a cinematic masterpiece from 2002 that often skimmed under common radar due to its unique premise and haunting portrayal of a historical monster. The film is directed by Menno Meyjes, who is making his directorial debut here. Screened at Toronto and Telluride film festivals in 2002, it features a commanding turn from John Cusack and a riveting performance by Noah Taylor. Leelee Sobieski plays a key supportive role in this historical drama that concentrates on the pre-Holocaust period of the early 20th century.

The film sets down roots in Munich, 1918, where the world, Europe in particular, was experiencing a seismic shift in power dynamics and ideas. The Great War had ended, leaving a fractured world in its wake that was grappling to find its new normal, under denuded economies and swelling nationalism. This is the gray and uncertain world we are plunged into at the beginning of the movie.

John Cusack plays Max Rothman, a successful Jewish art dealer in Munich who had lost his arm in the World War. Despite his physical handicap, Max still maintains an ebullient spirit, living with his family and running an avant-garde gallery. His character shines as a beacon of discerning taste, spotting and sponsoring fledgling talent to give them roots in the tumultuous art world. He is drawn as a man of vision and influence, wearing his wisdom and experience like an armor against the creeping shadow of the sociopolitical upheaval.

Into Max Rothman's world walks a disheveled, angry young man named Adolf Hitler, played hauntingly by Noah Taylor. Before he became the dictator responsible for the Holocaust, Hitler was a frustrated artist struggling to find his voice and an audience. Rothman, consummate to his character, recognizes potential in this hothead, and the two establish an uneasy artist-mentor relationship.

Leelee Sobieski as Liselore von Peltz does not just exist as a love interest, but rather as a character with a compelling mind. Sobieski gracefully fits the role with charm and intelligence, adding another complex layer to the narrative.

Max is largely a "what if" premise, exploring the potential impact that art, or rather, a mentorship in art, could have had on one of history's greatest villains. It creatively speculates about an alternate universe where Hitler may have taken a different road, one of artistic expression rather than political malevolence.

The strength of this movie lies in its strong character portrayals, vivid imagery, and expert pacing. The story's core is the interplay between Cusack and Taylor, which is both intellectual and emotional. The audience is drawn into their dialogue about art, politics, and tradition. As a result, the conversation between two individuals becomes a conversation about societal attitudes and the effects of art and politics on people's lives.

Noah Taylor, with his chilling portrayal of Hitler, deserves special praise. His performance is unnervingly believable as he negotiates the transformation of a disillusioned artist into a dictator, humanizing a figure who has historically been viewed with justifiable condemnation.

On the other hand, John Cusack forges an endearing persona with his portrayal of Rothman. Desperate to save Hitler and know his humanity, Cusack’s emotional investment reflects in his performance, making for a memorable viewing experience.

All this takes place against the backdrop of an exquisitely recreated post-World War I Munich by Ben van Os, the production designer. The director of photography, Lajos Koltai, with his deep knowledge of color and light, paints a vivid picture of the times.

Max is a combustible combination of art, politics, and speculation. It's not a traditional historical drama - instead, it delves deep into the layers of art, its influence, and the power of mentorship. Through the lens of fiction, it provides a rare glimpse into the world that incubated a dictator and the role art possibly played in it. Given its unique and speculative nature, Max may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it is undoubtedly a courageous, thought-provoking, and in its own ways, an essential watch.