The performances throughout June Zero are solid and engrossing. The humanity of Yoav Levi as Eichmann’s guard shines through, as do some of Eichmann’s own softer traits. History has painted him as an administrative clerk caught up in Hitler’s war machine. Other evidence supports the conclusion that he contrived the “hapless bureaucrat” image to save his own life at trial. That, obviously and appropriately, did not work but may have served to whitewash the legacy of a truly evil individual. Hagy gives the Mischa character an understated dignity and power. He ferociously defends his decision to tell the story of what happened to him, honored to serve as the voice for the millions who can no longer speak from beyond the grave.
Of course, the strongest performance is delivered by young Noam Ovadia as David. David has no deep connection to the news about a man who organized the holocaust before he was born. He’s an immature kid with his own desires and difficulties, and WWII seems to be a million years and miles away. Ovadia captures David’s capricious spirit with intensity and charm.
“…pulls off an interesting trick…”
The film pulls off an interesting trick in that, while there was clearly a substantial budget, given the impressive production, it feels more like an Indie film in places. If Paltrow had followed that aesthetic more and condensed the narrative, the overall film would have been more cohesive. As it stands, the film tries to cover too much ground, and just when the viewer is locking into a particular thread, the focus shifts frustratingly and, in some cases, never goes back. The title is interesting: journalists wrote the date of Eichmann’s execution as “June zero” to avoid Nazi supporters having a day to commemorate. Of course, the date is now easily accessed in the historical record. Eichmann died on June 1, 1962.
While the film is loosely based on memoirs, it is presented in a fictionalized dramatic interpretation. Overall, June Zero is a worthy film that follows delayed justice coming to a Nazi war criminal, bringing to the surface events of the post-war that aren’t well known.
"…a worthy film..."
