In the 2016 film Remember, streaming on Netflix, Christopher Plummer plays Zev Guttman, an Auschwitz concentration camp survivor who lost his family in World War II to a sadistic Blockführer known as Kurlander. Zev and his friend Max (Martin Landau) are living in a retirement home in New York City. Max had been in Auschwitz at the same time and also experienced the total loss of his entire family at the hands of this same Blockführer.
Zev, who is deeply influenced by Max, learns through their many conversations that this concentration camp guard is living under an assumed name somewhere in America. Max has pinpointed his research to four likely potential Nazi targets all with the same name of Kurlander.
Zev is also mentally suffering from the recent loss of his beloved Ruth while experiencing increasing bouts of debilitating dementia. Undeterred by his memory lapses, Zev sets off in search of the mysterious Kurlander, determined to avenge both the great suffering and tragic loss of life for his and Max’s families.
Unfortunately, Max knows that Zev is frequently in a state of confusion but sends him out on the mission anyway. Max, who is permanently wheelchair-bound and dependent on an oxygen tank, reminds Zev of their “killing plan” by writing a long multi-page letter with all the painstaking details and instructions for him.
In essence, Max weaponizes Zev and sends him to interview all four people, anyone of whom could be the hidden Nazi. Max convinces Zev he is to quickly terminate the Nazi perpetrator and return home. Max provides the money for Zev to buy a Glock pistol, multiple bus tickets, and lodging for his “killing journey.”
Each time Zev awakes he is forced to repeatedly re-read the letter to fire up his memory and determine his next steps. Since his experienced target has hidden within the heartland of America, Zev’s journey leads him to many mistaken encounters with the wrong people.
Things take an even more perilous turn for the worse as Zev discovers another Kurlander (Dean Norris) and waits for him on his porch. Finally, Kurlander arrives and he also happens to be a cop. Zev introduces himself to Kurlander and mentions he is a friend of his father. At first, the friendly local cop mentions that his father has passed away but invites Zev into his home anyway.
However, while he has been waiting, Zev is extremely fearful of the barking that is coming from inside of the house. He is so fearful of the fully grown, aggressive, loud-barking German Shepherd that when the dog greets him at the front doorway Zev says to John, “I cannot come in as I am so scared, I don’t like dogs.” Kurlander removes the menacing dog and places him in a closed room inside the house. Though the German Shepherd can still be heard continuing to growl and bark menacingly even behind the closed door.
Now while sharing a few drinks, the cop reminisces with Zev about his father’s service in the German SS and his station at the Auschwitz Camp. Kurlander then notices something strange. He stares at Zev and inquires what is that writing on his arm? Now fully grasping what is happening, Kurlander not only becomes hateful but obviously realizes Zev is a “Jew. ”And now he is sharing drinks in his father’s home with a “dirty Jew.” Kurlander continues to spew hateful Jewish epitaphs and says time after time do you know what my father would have thought; knowing you are in his home?
The hate emitting from Kurlander is so palatable as he continues to threaten Zev while also openly becoming more violent. Shaken and fearful of both Kurlander and his vicious dog, Zev memory flashes back to the camp as he also loses control of his bodily functions. This only raises the tension between the two combatants.
Zev realizing the peril has the presence of mind to reach for his Glock. At the same time, Kurlander opens the door and commands the German Shepherd to attack. Zev instinctively reacts, pulls the trigger, and fires one round from the Glock killing the dog. Then without hesitation, Zev fires with a pinpoint headshot ending Kurlander’s life.
As Zev obviously understands that this can’t be the Blockführer from Auschwitz, he shows no outward sign of remorse. Next, he phones Max and explains what has happened. Max also without any remorse, says “are you OK – Zev?” Together they decide it is a false sighting. “Then if so, you must go on with your mission,” Max tells Zev.
Christopher Plummer puts on a master class in acting, and his director, Atom Egoyan, working with a script by Benjamin August, delivers a terrific psychological thriller featuring the most blood-curling of plot twists and devices: a Nazi who escaped justice.
Egoyan has a long history of delivering heart-thumping endings that make the entire story spontaneously fit into place and which add up to much more than the sum of its parts. And the film Remember is no exception.
No additional spoiler alerts to be delivered here…but the viewer should continue to expect much more in the way of thrilling plot twists as Remember won’t let you down right to the ending credits. The movie is rated R (Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian) for moments of strong violence and some strong language.
Jeffery Giesener, former CEO of SourceMob, has both public and private company experience. Today, retired and enjoying life in San Diego, he’s a freelance writer who has a passion for both cinema and baking his Mom’s (Of Blessed Memory) European recipes
Republished from San Diego Jewish World