Taking Sides
Performance & Direction: Taking Sides Review
Last updated: February 18, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Taking Sides (2002) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.2/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and Taking Sides features a noteworthy lineup led by Harvey Keitel . Supported by the likes of Stellan Skarsgård and Moritz Bleibtreu , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: Taking Sides
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2002, Taking Sides is a Drama, War, Music film directed by István Szabó. The narrative explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Harvey Keitel.
Ending Explained: Taking Sides
Ending Breakdown: Directed by István Szabó, Taking Sides concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to drama resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation involving Harvey Keitel, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Taking Sides reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Taking Sides Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Taking Sides uses real-world events as narrative inspiration. As a drama, war, music film directed by István Szabó, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement for Harvey Keitel's character.
Historical Context
The film takes creative liberties to enhance dramatic impact. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.
Creative interpretation shapes the final narrative, with attention to period detail and historical context.
Accuracy Assessment: Taking Sides adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch Taking Sides?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Harvey Keitel or the director
- Want a character-driven story with emotional moments
Box Office Collection: Taking Sides
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $20.0M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
Taking Sides Budget
The estimated production budget for Taking Sides is $20.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: Taking Sides
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Where to Watch Taking Sides Online?
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Amazon VideoTaking Sides Parents Guide & Age Rating
2002 AdvisoryWondering about Taking Sides age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Taking Sides is 108 minutes (1h 48m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.2/10, and global performance metrics, Taking Sides is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 2002 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Taking Sides worth watching?
Taking Sides is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 6.2/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Taking Sides parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Taking Sides identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Taking Sides?
The total duration of Taking Sides is 108 minutes, which is approximately 1h 48m long.
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movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
