The film is torn between playing [Taylor's] character for real and as a dangerous joke.

Meyjes focuses too much on Max when he should be filling the screen with this tortured, dull artist and monster-in-the- making.

Taylor, hawk-faced and gaunt, pours everything into his portrayal of Hitler, never once seeking our sympathy for this angry, homeless loner.

It's a very philosophical film, with an interesting and somewhat fearless exploration of Hitler the man.