The film opens with a terrorist attack at the 1972 Olympic Games in Germany. Eleven Israeli hostages are killed. Israel decides to payback. After 20 minutes of watching a team of revenge oriented Israeli's assassinate a list of people supposedly responsible for the Munich attacks, I wonder, "is this a film all about revenge?"

Thankfully, it seems, Spielberg has other ideas with this picture. Perhaps by way of starting a dialogue with those that think in terms of vengeance, the filmmakers seek to elevate the conversation above the emotional or in some cases non-emotional and into the realm of rationality and heart.

Neither a Jew nor Palestinian, an outsider to that conflict, I admit a great deal of ignorance. But, the more I learn, the more I listen to those on either side, the more I don't see violence as an answer or a solution. I applaud Spielberg for taking a step toward non-violence.

Now that's not to say the film is non-violent. It is, in fact, violent -- as is the reality. But the questions raised, and the internal journey followed by the film's characters subtly tends toward peace -- or at least rethinking all this violence.

As a picture, the film is never break-out fantastic, and may even be in danger of being accused of being a bit slow. But, I found it interesting at each stage, very well cast and acted. Still, there were at least two moments of inappropriate schmaltz: 1) The first dinner with the assassination team goes a bit too sentimental -- smiling laughing, voices muted. 2) A reflection of a dead friend in a store picture window -- wrongly Hallmark.

The clearest point this film makes is simply this: In times of fatal tensions, those that polarize are those that seek violence. Those that consider their conscience are seen as weak, yet perhaps they are the only conduit for peace without massive deaths.

Overall a strong B, we'll push it to a B+ for a brave statement toward non-violent solutions. Can we ever find a peaceful solution if we continue to look past the motivations of the supposed enemy? Why is it so controversial to wonder if "our side" might in some way be in error?

Be prepared, it clocks in over 2.5 hours.

This film screened at a Krikorian Theatre.