While Christophe Waltz has always been a brilliant actor it was only with the quirky film Inglourious Basterds in 2009 that he came to the attention of those on this side of the Atlantic. Since then he has racked up quite a list of fine films taking part in films like The Green Hornet, Like Water for Elephants, Carnage, Django Unchained, Big Eyes, Spectre, The Legend of Tarzan, Tulip Fever, Alita: Battle Angel, and Horrible Bosses 2.
Obviously a busy and in demand actor. Now he has decided to make his English language debut behind the camera on Georgetown, a film he also stars in. He has wisely surrounded himself with plenty of acting talent in the form of Annette Bening, Corey Hawkins and Vanessa Redgrave.
What weaves its way like a thread throughout is the fact that a lot of the films he acts in are strange. Not your typical stuff and Waltz seems to revel in it. Georgetown is another to add to the list. A rather straightforward well worn story about a character looking to climb the social ranks the old fashioned way – through marriage.
In the government city of Washington, D.C. a man looking to make his way up in society sees his chance and takes it. Ulrich Mott (Christoph Waltz) is not satisfied with his lot in life. He changes that by marrying older wealthy socialite, Elsa Breht (Vanessa Redgrave – Atonement, Howard’s End) much to the shock and suspicion of her daughter Amanda (Annette Bening – The Grifters, Captain Marvel). Enviable party after wonderful party follow. Then after one of these much talked about dinner parties Elsa is found dead. Let the figuring out who dun it begin.
With the quality we have come to expect from Oscar winner Waltz this film is a disappointment. Especially when you factor in Vanessa Redgrave and Annette Bening. Something just doesn’t work here. It starts off totally enjoyable (and the first half is why I would not classify it as a disaster) and then severely tails off in the second half.
A mystery which attempts to keep you guessing. Definitely not fast paced, but that is not the problem. A surprise is followed by a twist and then a turn. One of those types. Despite all this there is still a flatness. Despite the fact that the three main actors here are great. As you might expect. Sadly to say the fault here lies with director Waltz. He bungles things by allowing the presentation of the story to become a right old mess.
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