Suite Française (2014)
Country: GB/FR/CAN/BEL
Technical: col/2.35:1 107m
Director: Saul Dibb
Cast: Michelle Williams, Kristin Scott-Thomas, Matthias Schoenaerts, Ruth Wilson, Sam Riley
Synopsis:
A Frenchwoman who later became a Resistance operative recalls her love affair with a German officer during the early years of the Occupation.
Review:
This film stands or falls on your ability to accept English-speaking actors in French parts while the Germans all speak German. In other words it gets the full Weinstein, widescreen, big budget treatment and as such is light years away from André Téchiné's Strayed (2003), which is where it ought to be. Never mind, Schoenaerts is fine, and the excellent Williams does her bit, even if the presentational aspects and contrivances militate against conviction. Also, the musical idea seems tacked on, especially since Suite Française is revealed by a closing caption to be the title of a book, rather than a piece of (very French sounding) German music, actually composed by Alexandre Desplat. An excellent filmed text for understanding the realities and petty feuds underlying the Occupation, however.
Country: GB/FR/CAN/BEL
Technical: col/2.35:1 107m
Director: Saul Dibb
Cast: Michelle Williams, Kristin Scott-Thomas, Matthias Schoenaerts, Ruth Wilson, Sam Riley
Synopsis:
A Frenchwoman who later became a Resistance operative recalls her love affair with a German officer during the early years of the Occupation.
Review:
This film stands or falls on your ability to accept English-speaking actors in French parts while the Germans all speak German. In other words it gets the full Weinstein, widescreen, big budget treatment and as such is light years away from André Téchiné's Strayed (2003), which is where it ought to be. Never mind, Schoenaerts is fine, and the excellent Williams does her bit, even if the presentational aspects and contrivances militate against conviction. Also, the musical idea seems tacked on, especially since Suite Française is revealed by a closing caption to be the title of a book, rather than a piece of (very French sounding) German music, actually composed by Alexandre Desplat. An excellent filmed text for understanding the realities and petty feuds underlying the Occupation, however.
Country: GB/FR/CAN/BEL
Technical: col/2.35:1 107m
Director: Saul Dibb
Cast: Michelle Williams, Kristin Scott-Thomas, Matthias Schoenaerts, Ruth Wilson, Sam Riley
Synopsis:
A Frenchwoman who later became a Resistance operative recalls her love affair with a German officer during the early years of the Occupation.
Review:
This film stands or falls on your ability to accept English-speaking actors in French parts while the Germans all speak German. In other words it gets the full Weinstein, widescreen, big budget treatment and as such is light years away from André Téchiné's Strayed (2003), which is where it ought to be. Never mind, Schoenaerts is fine, and the excellent Williams does her bit, even if the presentational aspects and contrivances militate against conviction. Also, the musical idea seems tacked on, especially since Suite Française is revealed by a closing caption to be the title of a book, rather than a piece of (very French sounding) German music, actually composed by Alexandre Desplat. An excellent filmed text for understanding the realities and petty feuds underlying the Occupation, however.