Stephen Lang could play water, and audiences would be in awe. He’s the quintessential character actor, someone who can transform himself into just about any role. In THE OPTIMIST, Lang takes on the role of Herbert Heller, a Czechoslovakian-American Jew who has just received a terminal cancer diagnosis. This inspires him to share the story of how he escaped Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia, including the terrifying and shameful experiences he has kept hidden for decades.
Herbert is based on a real person who owned a clothing store in San Rafael, California. He often spoke to local schoolchildren and history buffs about his experiences during the Holocaust. He chose writer-director Finn Taylor to bring his story to the screen, but sadly, Herbert passed away in 2021 at the age of 92, just as production was beginning.
The Optimist
- Director: Finn Taylor
- Starring: Stephen Lang, Elsie Fisher, Luke David Blumm, Robin Weigert, Leah Pipes, Ben Geurens, Ursula Parker, Slavko Sobin
- Genre: Drama
- Runtime: 102 mins
- User Rating: ★ 6.8
Lang transforms himself into an elderly man who shuffles through his surroundings, speaking with a convincing mixture of Eastern European and American accents. It’s a far cry from the angry, imposing characters we’ve seen him play so many times before. Here, he’s a frail old man still haunted by the horrors of World War II and the atrocities he witnessed at Auschwitz, where his mother, father and brother were also imprisoned.
Lang is joined by the talented Elsie Kate Fisher, who plays Abby, a young woman in rehab following a drug-related tragedy. Under the supervision of her counsellor, Ruth (Robin Weigert), Abby becomes involved in a side project recording interviews with Holocaust survivors. Ruth pairs her with Herbert to help him feel comfortable sharing his story on camera.
The two quickly develop a connection, and as their conversations progress, they begin to trust each other enough to reveal the trauma they’ve carried throughout their lives.
Fisher is a standout as Abby, bringing a natural warmth and vulnerability to the role. She has the rare ability to hold her own alongside Lang, and the two share a wonderful rapport that makes their relationship feel genuine. Their performances are the heart of THE OPTIMIST, elevating material that sometimes struggles to bring its various storylines together.
The film moves between the present day and flashbacks to the traumatic experiences of both characters. While these sequences offer important insight into their lives, the transitions can feel abrupt, sometimes pulling us away just as we’re becoming immersed in their stories. I found myself wishing the film had spent more time allowing Herbert and Abby to recount their experiences, as their conversations are among its strongest moments. Instead, the narrative occasionally feels disjointed, with too many storylines competing for attention.
That said, THE OPTIMIST is a sincerely presented film, supported by strong performances and some impressive cinematography. The scenes depicting the horrors of the concentration camps are difficult to watch, but they serve as a powerful reminder of the atrocities committed during the Holocaust.
Seeing how a young Herbert manages to carry on after escaping the camps is both inspiring and heartbreaking. His story is one of survival, resilience and the importance of sharing our experiences, even when those memories are painful.
While the film has its share of narrative issues, its heart is always in the right place. Lang and Fisher bring tremendous emotional depth to their characters, making their unlikely friendship the film’s greatest strength.
THE OPTIMIST may stumble in its storytelling, but its emotional impact is undeniable. Herbert’s journey is a powerful reminder of the strength of the human spirit, and it’s a story worth hearing.
