“Nuremberg” unfolds against the backdrop of one of history’s most consequential trials the post-World War II proceedings where Nazi officials were held accountable for crimes against humanity. Yet, beneath its courtroom tension lies a burning moral question: who gets to decide justice?
The film doesn’t shy away from interrogating America’s self-proclaimed moral authority, particularly as it draws uncomfortable parallels to the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Visually, “Nuremberg” is a feast. It’s beautifully shot, with grim aesthetics cloaked in rich chiaroscuro lighting and a hauntingly mesmerizing score that lingers long after the credits roll. Every frame feels deliberate, marrying elegance with unease.
Rami Malek delivers a tour de force performance—restrained yet bursting with internal conflict, his portrayal captures the emotional paradox of those tasked with delivering justice in a world still reeling from war. Russell Crowe, playing the formidable Hermann Göring, commands every scene with a feral charisma that makes him both magnetic and monstrous.
However, the court sequences between Hermann and the representatives of the Allied nations, while skillfully written, never quite deliver a dramatic crescendo. There’s tension and intellectual sparring, but no genuine “gotcha” moment that punctuates the narrative conflict. Göring appears almost untouchable throughout, never visibly rattled or humbled, which leaves the dramatic resolution feeling slightly hollow.
Oddly enough, what truly stands out is the evolving dynamic between Kelly and Hermann. With each new conversation, their exchanges grow increasingly fascinating, layered with wit, psychological gamesmanship, and thematic depth. Their ongoing debate about a magic trick, which threads through their dialogue and pays off cleverly at the end, adds a nuanced undercurrent to the film’s moral tug-of-war. These moments bring surprising satisfaction, elevating the emotional texture beyond the usual courtroom theatrics.
The pacing, though, remains near flawless. The screenplay juggles dark humor and intensity with masterful precision. There’s an unexpected, almost sardonic comedic timing that keeps the movie alive through long, dialogue-heavy sequences—a surprising but effective tonal balance.
As a whole, “Nuremberg” is an enthralling piece of cinema. It’s historically loaded yet artistically daring, a film that stirs both intellect and conscience. While its climax doesn’t hit with the same force as its build-up, the journey there is gripping, gorgeously realized, and morally provocative.
