It's not that the film takes itself seriously to the point of mockery, even thought it has to, dealing with such a sensitive subject, but the film definitely isn't afraid to go to some dark places, as evidenced by the climactic last act. I don't wanna say the film is fairly straightforward, because there's a certain point where the film pretty much changes in tone and it gets 'more' serious, as if it wasn't serious prior that point. Essentially, the film tells the story of Zev who goes on this journey to kill the man who killed his and his friend's family. He completely embodies this character and you can tell that there's a dark past that he was witness to in Auschwitz. Just the way he becomes this character and how expresses himself, even down to the way he talks. With that said, however, I must say that Christopher Plummer is absolutely tremendous in this movie. It doesn't affect whether or not I like the movie. If I like the movie, then what does it really matter if the film wins any awards. Part of me genuinely doesn't care about awards.
Well maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration. I must say that if Christopher Plummer doesn't get any love for this performance during next year's awards season then I'm gonna be very upset.