David O'ConnellEndgame
June 17th 2010 05:25
A British telemovie of genuine substance, Endgame is a surprising follow-up to the gimmicky action thriller Vantage Point (2008) from director Pete Travis. Like cracking open a time capsule, this subtly engineered film takes us back to the dark heart of South Africa in the 1980’s, a time of division and hatred under the auspices of the Apartheid regime.
The story commences in 1985, with the nation in dire straits trying to fend off political and social fragmentation. However, Michael Young (Jonny Lee Miller) is a man on a mission, determined to make a difference and set the future on an alternate course. As the public affairs manager for Consolidated Goldfields he’s able to use his political pulling power to initiate a series of mediation sessions between the ANC (African National Conference) and the South African government. These crucial talks, strewn over a number of years, would ultimately lead to the release of Nelson Mandela from his lengthy incarceration as well as the dissolution of Apartheid.
Young brings together two key figures: Thabo Mbeki (Chiwetel Ejiofor), head of the ANC and future President, and secondly, the man put forth by the government, Professor Willie Esterhuyse (Wiliam Hurt) to negotiate on their behalf. Initially, the reigning President, P.W. Botha, offers little attempt at any meaningful deal with the ANC. Instead, he uses Esterhuyse as a "Trojan horse", to get the inside track on the ANC's thought processes which will hopefully provide them leverage on Mandela who they pinpoint as the key to everything.
These talks take place on neutral ground at a luxurious, isolated mansion in Somerset, England where the two sides subtly trade chess moves to enable mastery of the endgame. It’s a laborious process but fascinating to watch unfold against the shifting perspectives of the '80’s whilst Mandela (Clark Peters) is simultaneously softened up for a killer blow that the government is unable to deliver.
Two factors elevate Endgame beyond its telemovie origins. First and foremost are the sterling performances given by the entire cast. Due special recognition though are Ejiofor and Hurt who are pitted as chief protagonists before coming together in a moral, humanist alignment that would spark a genuine friendship. Both actors are formidable, nailing their accents and giving the story a core around which history is liberally stretched. There’s also a meaty support role for Mark Strong as Dr. Niel Barnard, the government’s icily efficient and ruthless head of intelligence.
The second key contributing factor is Paula Milne’s thoughtful, intelligent, multi-faceted screenplay which concisely adapts Robert Harvey’s book The Fall of Apartheid with all the dense, potentially tedious, political machinations excised.
Stylistically, Travis has opted for the immediacy of handheld cameras, and despite the fluid framing, there’s little danger of inducing seizures in the way a Paul Greengrass master-class might. It will still be an irritant for some, but it didn’t bother me at all. A couple of moments of startling violence are rigged for maximum impact and well spotted, whilst a car chase across a remote landscape also creates a genuinely suspenseful sense of danger.
Endgame (2009) has an interesting history. Apparently made for television, it actually received a theatrical run in some parts of Europe, possibly to enhance its companion-piece status alongside Clint Eastwood’s then upcoming Invictus (2009). Though it may be lacking in cinematic virtues, Endgame makes for compelling drama nonetheless. By any measure this is above average material.
]© Endgame Films Ltd. 2008
Trailer can be viewed here.
ENDGAME has just been released on DVD by Madman Entertainment.
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Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
I'm planning on watching this one shortly so didn't read the meat of the review. I am encouraged by your final paragraph and very much enjoy all the main cast.
Comment by David O'Connell
20/20 Filmsight
Screen Fanatic