"Georgetown" by Christoph Waltz (2019)

 

A glorious little psychological thriller that somehow escaped my attention in 2019 (or was probably lost in a chaos of 2020) and it brings the wondrous talents of villainous Christoph Waltz (who also directs it) and  Vanessa Redgrave. of course, I remember Waltz from his spectacular turn in "Inglourious Basterds" where he eclipsed everybody else as a Jew hating Gestapo officer and it seems that from than on he is typecast as a sociopathic antagonist. To my knowledge, this is the first time that he directs a movie and apparently this role fascinated him enough to put all his energy into creating it - obviously he found the role fitting his abilities. 

The script is based on a real-life story of elderly journalist Elsa Breht (Redgrave) who somehow got seduced by much younger, ambitious Ulrich Mott (Waltz) who correctly assumes that she might be his connection to influential political circles of Washington. Once he slither in her house, she helps him to get acquainted with people who matter - diplomats, political advisers, ex-presidents, etc. To dismay of Breht's daughter (Annette Bening) the relationship apparently flourishes until Breht has been found dead at the staircase and the police eventually decides to have a closer look at it - initially they are not suspicious because of Breht's age but they found documented her previous complaint about the physical abuse and this makes them to have a closer look at her much younger husband who is all about bravado and boasting.

Its easy to see what did Christoph Waltz found in this role because its almost as made for him - he is supposed to be earnest charmer who swindles everybody around him and somehow wiggles his way into high society. There is a constant shadow of malice underneath his smiles and charm that no one is aware of (except Benning, of course but she is too one-dimensional herself). Redgrave is supernatural joy to behold, she is hundred years old and still beautiful in her own way, camera absolutely adores her and she glows in a new found love for her young suitor. If there is one weak link, its the very underdeveloped role of her daughter who really has nothing else to do but just be angry all the time - for this you don't need a Oscar winning actress and I am left with suspicion that Annette Bening was pulled in simply as a famous name bait - it does nothing for her career or for the movie itself. The most fascinating character is Waltz who turns out such a maniac that is completely lost in his own delusions.