If Barry Levinson had stopped directing films at the turn of the 21st century, he already would have left an indelible mark on American cinema with films such as “The Natural” (1984), “Good Morning, Vietnam” (1987), “Bugsy” (1991) and “Wag the Dog” (1997), as well as the Baltimore tetralogy of “Diner” (1982), “Tin Men” (1987), “Avalon” (1990) and “Liberty Heights” (1999). What a run!
Levinson’s career has been admittedly spotty in the last couple of decades, but the 79-year-old director has recently reminded us of his sure-handed touch, directing premium cable scandal-biopics “The Wizard of Lies” and “Paterno,” and now delivering the gritty and brutal and morally challenging Holocaust aftermath drama “The Survivor,” premiering Wednesday on HBO with the invaluable character actor Ben Foster (“Leave No Trace,” “Hell or High Water”), whose onscreen temperature always seems to be running hot, turning in some of the most memorable and haunting work of his fine career.
