Denial

Movie Name: Denial
Year of Release: 2016

Director: Mick Jackson

Stars: Rachel Weisz, Tom Wilkinson, Timothy Spall, Andrew Scott, Jack Lowden, Caren Pistorius, Alex Jennings, Mark Gatiss, Harriet Walter, John Sessions

Genre: Drama

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 7
View Trailer Here

Synopsis:

Director Mick Jackson has returned with a new feature, after the celebrated TV film "Temple Grandin", from 2010. The film is based on the book and events surrounding the life of acclaimed Historian Deborah Lipstadt. The narrative focuses specifically on the libel case that was brought against Deborah by David Irving, a Holocaust denier. The case, which was brought against Deborah in 1996, had huge media exposure, and it also included Deborah's publishing house, Penguin. The libel/defamation case, argued Deborah had published lies about Irving's reputation and about the Holocaust itself. Deborah's legal team went out about presenting facts and therefore dismantling David Irving's case, who chose to represent himself throughout the process.
Mick Jackson's best directorial efforts have been features where he marries his experience in directing documentaries with material that is based on real situations and people (though his most popular film may be "The Bodyguard" from 1992, with Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston). "Denial" is the perfect material for the director, since it's based on a real case that occurred in the mid 90s, and outlines how a resourceful, intelligent and articulate Historian resolved to battle a libel case that involved one of the biggest atrocities witnessed by humanity. It's a film that is thorough in how it illustrates the process and who were the key players - it's taut and the director has just enough stylistic flourishes to make it a compelling and interesting film. The film falters in the further definition of the characters (we always have a somewhat limited view of the main key players), but the case itself is enticing, and is serviced by a fantastic group of actors, particularly Tom Wilkinson and Timothy Spall, who give enough nuance and depth to what might otherwise be cliched characters. A good film worth watching.