Denial (2016)

Denial is an engaging film. It is based on true events and it is mind boggling that something like this could possibly happen. Of course, considering the time we live in, it's not all that shocking.

Renowned Holocaust denier David Irving (Timothy Spall) sued Deborah Lipstadt (Rachel Weisz) in September 1996, saying she caused irreparable damage to his reputation after she called him bigot and other things in a book she wrote. She has the option to settle out of court, but decides to go to court to fight him instead. Since the suit was filed in England, she travels there and seeks the help of Anthony Julius (Andrew Scott) and Richard Rampton (Tom Wilkinson) to represent her. David Irving decides to represent himself.

Deborah fought to have her and Holocaust survivors, but Julius and Rampton won't allow it. They want to focus on Irving. They argue that having Deborah go on the stand will allow for too much argument to occur. They also don't want the survivors to testify as Irving would be too cruel to them.

The first half of the film is spent on Lipstadt and Irving's first meeting, the suit being filed, Lipstadt meeting her legal team and the preparation for the trial. The second half is of course the trial, and it is infuriating yet interesting all at the same time. Rampton is able deconstruct all of Irving's arguments and it is extremely satisfying to watch. Of course Irving is a horrible person, but to see him brought down is one of the most wonderful thing to see cinematically, especially when you remember that this actually happened.

Denial focuses solely on the events it is based on. The Holocaust occurred and it was a horrible event in human history, there is no need to exploit it. This film does not do that. There is a scene where Lpistadt and her team visit Auschwitz. It's cold and dreary highlighting the mood of the location. You end up finding out during the trial why this visit was so important.

Of course considering the cast, the acting is phenomenal. Rachel Weisz is strong and passionate, but is not without her flaws. Tom Wilkinson is calm and regal, but when he gets upset he is not someone you want to mess with. Then there's Timothy Spall. He is as unlikable as a human being who spews these lies can be and it is wonderful to watch. The cast and the story all come in to tell this compelling moment in history and you are engaged from the beginning.

Of course there are a lot of similarities between David Irving and his followers that mirror what is currently going on. Of course the events the film is based on happened in 1996, but it goes to show that sometimes history takes a while to change. Deborah Lipstadt won her trial, let's see if we can too.

Denial
Director: Mick Jackson
Cast: Rachel Weisz, Tom Wilkinson, Timothy Spall, Andrew Scott, Jack Lowden, Caren Pistorius
Screenplay: David Hare; based on the book by Deborah Lipstadt
Cinematography: Haris Zambarloukos
Music: Howard Shore
Distributor: Bleecker Street Media
Run Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
Release Date: October 10, 2016
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Drama