This downright devastating look at concentration camp life hinges entirely on Vanessa Redgrave's powerhouse performance. I've always been stunned by her talent, but now more than ever I see her staggering ability to do so much with a line or a glance. The physicality makes this all the more believable as the ensemble have their heads shaved and appear gaunt, but more than anything it truly feels as if they're always staring death in the face. The few moments of levity they have are such a splendid reprieve from a barrage of consistently harrowing scenes. A limited color palette and Arthur Miller's poignant, anguished script make Playing for Time all the more powerful.
