I first stumbled upon Suite Francaise, then I saw this below just as a recommendation. I was hesitant as it was late and I had no time for another movie- but I stayed up for this and THANK GOD I DID.
This story of a French girl in an occupied France in WW2 and a German officer occupying her house and her deceased parents' bedroom is nothing but remarkable. The first half of the movie is relatively calm, grips your attention with a comfortable pace, but is milder than the second half.
In the second half of the movie, I was holding my breath subconsciously. Just as Jeanne was not able to constrict her emotions, so you, too, in front of the screen, feel her struggle.
The soldier, Werner, trying to talk to them every night was very interesting to me. He seems to have been trying to get some human touch out of the people he's living with, sharing his own turmoils, if with not so many words, but enough for us to realize that he is not simply a monster.
The love story is transparent, everpresent, restricted and fragile. It feels like my heart was being squeezed by clouds. I cannot tell you whether this movie has cinematic quality, or if it's worthy of any awards- but it is worthy of your time, for sure.
WARNING- Some spoilers below.
I absolutely love the pairing of the two scenes: when she sits to play the piano for the first time while Werner is in the house and it builds up to the explosion. Her frantic playing trying to save him, his eyes lighting up in wonder and hope, a minute of silence- he tries to leave, but she opens her eyes wide and stares at him with no restraint for the first time, and just minutes later- boom. He realizes right away what has happened. Stunning!
The fact that in the entire movie, she tells him only one word- only one, but even that word is not as impactful as their eyes.
Another thing I appreciate: people don't die of love, or lack thereof, and this movie is a great reminder of that. The flower pot as a symbol of resistance is a genius touch at the ending- both resisting the occupation and refusing to give up on life just because you love someone you will never see again. She never abandons her values, and I love it!
This story of a French girl in an occupied France in WW2 and a German officer occupying her house and her deceased parents' bedroom is nothing but remarkable. The first half of the movie is relatively calm, grips your attention with a comfortable pace, but is milder than the second half.
In the second half of the movie, I was holding my breath subconsciously. Just as Jeanne was not able to constrict her emotions, so you, too, in front of the screen, feel her struggle.
The soldier, Werner, trying to talk to them every night was very interesting to me. He seems to have been trying to get some human touch out of the people he's living with, sharing his own turmoils, if with not so many words, but enough for us to realize that he is not simply a monster.
The love story is transparent, everpresent, restricted and fragile. It feels like my heart was being squeezed by clouds. I cannot tell you whether this movie has cinematic quality, or if it's worthy of any awards- but it is worthy of your time, for sure.
WARNING- Some spoilers below.
I absolutely love the pairing of the two scenes: when she sits to play the piano for the first time while Werner is in the house and it builds up to the explosion. Her frantic playing trying to save him, his eyes lighting up in wonder and hope, a minute of silence- he tries to leave, but she opens her eyes wide and stares at him with no restraint for the first time, and just minutes later- boom. He realizes right away what has happened. Stunning!
The fact that in the entire movie, she tells him only one word- only one, but even that word is not as impactful as their eyes.
Another thing I appreciate: people don't die of love, or lack thereof, and this movie is a great reminder of that. The flower pot as a symbol of resistance is a genius touch at the ending- both resisting the occupation and refusing to give up on life just because you love someone you will never see again. She never abandons her values, and I love it!