A good movie

I already saw this movie but since it was such a long time ago, I was quite eager to check it out again. Well, I'm glad I gave it a 2nd chance because I was much more able to enjoy it this time around. Indeed, it is basically one of these typical paranoïd thriller from the 70's with some really solid directing and a perfect cast. Above all, I really enjoyed the first half during which there was a great tension and during which you keep wondering how this mild-mannered student will end up being entangled in this spy conspiracy. Furthermore, Dustin Hoffman was at the top of his game, he was a great choice to play the lead and it was just really refreshing and reletable to see a lead actor who looked like an average guy instead of the usual movie stars who looked more like some top-models. However, the second half, during which you finally get some answers, was not so strong though. I mean, it was still quite entertaining but it was after all rather far-fetched and some stuff just didn't make much sense. For example, they tell us that, in 1945, Szell would trade gold and diamonds with Jews to help them escape but I don't think that so many Jews still had anything to trade so late during the war. In fact, even if Laurence Olivier was rightfully praised for his performance, most of what his character did didn't make much sense in my opinion. Anyway, to conclude, in spite of its flaws, it was still a really entertaining thriller and it is definitely worth a look, especially if you like the genre.