Resistance

Resistance is very predictable, and this type of movie has been done many times before and much better. It comes across as a low budget B film. The script is so weak that even Paxton (miscast) and Ormond couldn't breath life into these poorly developed characters. The actions of the characters are not believable and the mediocre acting makes it even harder to tolerate the ridiculous dialog and silly choices the characters make. Did I mention plot holes? My husband walked out less than halfway through but I watched this slow paced movie to the end, albeit with a bit of fast-forwarding. With so many better movies out there this is just not worth the time, In My Humble Opinion! July2020

An American surveillance plane crashes in a green Belgian field in January of 1944. Almost all the crew is dead. Young Antoine Van Lierde finds the injured pilot. Although despised by members of the Maquis, he gets Bill Paxton to Philippe Volter and Julia Ormond. Miss Ormond nurses Paxton back to health and they begin a passionate affair, despite her troubled marriage and the threat that Volter will turn them both over to the Germans.

It's an almost stereotypical view of the occupied countries during the Second World War. Even in France, members of the Maquis never numbered more than half a million. It's estimated that in Belgium, the Resistance -- whatever it was called -- comprised one in forty. And, of course, American pilots were irresistible to the local women.

Which is not to say that this is a bad movie. The actors are all good, and the story is, if not particularly original, a solid example of the genre, even if there are some glitches in the production.

The biggest flaw of this so-so resistance drama is the choice of an American actress to play the female lead.Julia Ormond is compelled to speak English -I guess she's not dubbed- with a French accent,which is completely absurd;besides,the story takes place in Belgium,where the accent should be different (I 've often heard Belgian people speak).When René Clément made a similar story in 1963 ("le jour et l'heure"),he chose Simone Signoret as the French woman and American Stuart Whitman for the aviator ,which made sense.And whereas Clement's movie had a dramatic progression (Signoret's character was first a woman who did not care about Resistance),this one has none.Now and then ,the German soldiers appear,just for their reprisals,hangings and tortures.There are some Belgian characters involved but their part is so underwritten that even the hubby cannot display his jealousy.Sandrine Bonnaire tries hard ,to no avail.Only Bill Paxton ,in his restrained and sensitive rendering ,shows some convincing emotion.

The film was a flop,and it is sure easy to see why:Resistance has been tackled so many times in France,Europa and elsewhere ,that ,unless you are a genius,you can't make new things out of old.

I love Julia Ormand and was eager to see this movie on TV. She's as wonderful as ever. Unfortunately, the script was ridiculous.

An American pilot shot down in enemy territory. The villagers doing their best to save his life. Yet he pays no attention to their culture, their system, and their safety. He's only concerned about himself and what he wants. He takes over the house, goes outside, plays baseball, gave his dog tag to a kid, doing his best to expose himself to the Nazi while the villagers die to protect him. Even though he does not speak Frech, he goes out in public and refuses to hide so everyone can see there's a stranger in town. He only thinks about his own happiness, honor and others be damned. Unfortnately, the Germans were not as stupid as the American thought. Of course him and those who tried to help him all got caught.

With friend like this, who needs enemies? Who wrote this stupid script?

10 stars for some beautiful shots of the Belgian countryside and also for taking a stab at making a movie with anything to do with Belgium. This was the only reason I wanted to watch the movie anyway. I've seen one review complaining about French accents in Belgium. Belgium is mainly divided into the Dutch and French speaking populations, so it is no surprise to find a community of French-speaking Belgians. I am not impressed with anyone's reviews where they pick apart all of the little historical nuances that were done incorrectly. Really at the heart of what makes this a bad movie is that it is so uninspired. Acting, direction, dialogue, everything. What is the beautiful Julia Ormond doing taking roles like this? Bill Paxton is a likable guy when he is a cocky, buffoon character actor. But he is the last guy in Hollywood who should be doing serious romantic leading roles. You could tell that both stars knew this was not a shining moment in their careers and the love making scene is almost embarrassing to watch. The rest of the cast takes it more seriously and adds some level of saving grace, particular the young Belgian boy. I would have liked this movie much better had the lead parts been no-name actors who were getting an opportunity to star in a very minor film.