The Baader Meinhof Complex - B+

In German with subtitles. Rated R for violence, language, and nudity.

In the late 60s and throughout the 70s, a left wing group in West Germany committed acts of terrorism to protest the Vietnam War and perceived suppression from their own government. The formation of the group featured Andreas Baader, a charismatic, fearless nihilist and Ulrike Meinhof, a respected journalist who gave the group a voice. The group's origin is well-explained and the film is well placed in the context of the 60s social revolution (though it uses overused songs - "My Generation", "Blowin' in the Wind"). As it chronicles their violent existence, the film has an incredible immediacy since real life is much more unpredictable than the typical Hollywood script . . .

Some of the best scenes have Bruno Ganz (Downfall) as a high-level government official trying to understand and capture the group. His observation that terrorism is the new form of war in the absence of a "real" war is perceptive and the extrapolation of the events to modern day is easy but insightful. The film tries to understand why people resort to terrorism and never reaches an easy conclusion. It bends over backward to immortalize both Baader and Meinhof by claiming they never killed innocent "civilians", and were later replaced by leaders with more violent and aggressive proclivities. But none of the reasons ring true. Killing people to protest killing makes no sense anywhere on the political spectrum.

At its best, the film is tense and urgent, immersive and fast-paced. At nearly 2 1/2 hours, it feels a tad long, but never bores. Even if you can't sympathize with the left-wing crazies, you'll be transported, educated, and entertained. Its European view of nudity may be distracting for the American (Puritan) audience. The violence is usually sudden and shocking. It doesn't break any new ground technically like its most direct influences (Z and Day of the Jackal) which prevents it from getting to the A-level. That, and the overly sympathetic view toward the left wing politics. B+