Mother Night
Be Careful What You Pretend To Be
American playwright, Howard W. Campbell Jr. (Nick Nolte) and his wife, beautiful German actress Helga (Sheryl Lee), are living in pre-World War II Berlin. Because of his status among the Nazis, a mysterious American (John Goodman) seduces him into becoming an allied spy within the Nazi Party. Campbell becomes a notorious spokesman for the Nazis' anti-American and anti-Semitic agenda, gaining celebrity in Germany and infamy in the States. Not even his wife knows of his clandestine spying and if apprehended, his ties to the U.S. will be denied. As the Reich crumbles, so does Campbell's life, beginning with the death of his beloved Helga.
Escaping capture, and living back in America, Campbell's living hell unfolds as Nazi haters and sympathizers confront him. Campbell begins to struggle with his shocking past...is he a hero, a villain, or both?
Member Reviews
The Collateral Hell of Good Intentions - Stitch
Which is the crux of Kurt Vonnegut’s novel and similarly pertinent to this ambitious attempt to translate it to film. Because while the screenplay is remarkably true to the novel’s basic theme, unfortunately the execution falters. The upside first…
Vonnegut collaborated with Robert B. Weide on the screenplay and it shows. The key ingredients from the novel are contained herein and the pacing is comparable. Possibly a little less emphasis on the sex angle might better be applied to flesh out other subtleties but hey, the producers need to make a buck. And some scenes are especially fine, one being Howard’s with the younger sister (and the dog). A feast of nihilism versus empathy in a few short takes. Same excellence is displayed in early phases of coping in NYC and rebirth of his human connection. Nolte’s customary underplaying fits; he’s very believable. Our empathy is stoked.
But his strength is his weakness when it comes to fervent emotion. He does not convey despair convincingly. And in rare instances where raging intensity is demanded, he does shrill to a risible fault. My audience snickered--not a good sign, considering the serious context. Funny was not the intent, not even the black variety. This dissonance is even more evident in the concluding scene with the generally effective Alan Arkin and the generally abysmal Sheryl Lee. Granted her lame excuse for a German accent had me volunteering poison pills long before. And watch for sophomoric direction in the same scene; yes, the eyes have it.
Notwithstanding these aggravations, there is another positive. The cinematography has a propitious mixture of monochrome and muted color to accentuate mood. Now if only the same mute had been applied to the score…it’s an epic disaster. Because epic is the operable tone whereas the tale’s intent is ripening guilt. Glaringly inappropriate.
In summary, deceptive. Garish garb for a cerebral encounter.Dark laughter - gnox
This was a rare opportunity for me to see the film version of a Vonnegut novel that i haven't read, and it turned out well beyond my expectations. Don't know how i missed it when this came out (1996) -- the story is full of highly plausible absurdities and Vonnegutian twists; Nolte is perfect and the whole cast acquits itself well. The atmosphere is certainly dark, yet my wife and i laughed out loud more with this film than we have with many comedies. Maybe you have to share that deadpan sense of humor which is so characteristic of Vonnegut -- and his irrepressible compassion for human nature in spite of everything that happens. The direction is unobtrusive and the film is all the more effective for that -- as good as George Roy Hill's Slaughterhouse-Five, if not better. Highly recommended.Simple but good - Basilg
A simple story about moral complexity and the various roles and responsibilities people play, especially in war. Nolte does a good job and the movie presents the core of the story pretty straight up. Not a thrilling film but well done. Book is recommended as well.
Member Reviews
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The Collateral Hell of Good Intentions - Stitch
Which is the crux of Kurt Vonnegut’s novel and similarly pertinent to this ambitious attempt to translate it to film. Because while the screenplay is remarkably true to the novel’s basic theme, unfortunately the execution falters. The upside first…
Vonnegut ...Dark laughter - gnox
This was a rare opportunity for me to see the film version of a Vonnegut novel that i haven't read, and it turned out well beyond my expectations. Don't know how i missed it when this came out (1996) -- the story is full of highly plausible absurdities and ...Simple but good - Basilg
A simple story about moral complexity and the various roles and responsibilities people play, especially in war. Nolte does a good job and the movie presents the core of the story pretty straight up. Not a thrilling film but well done. Book is recommended ...