Resistance

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.

Best dramatic work by Bill Paxton since "Apollo 13" and " A Simple Plan", and Julia Ormond's ( since her limited role in "Legends of the Fall" ). Engrossing and believable WW II tale . I personally viewed this film at the kick-off of the Stony Brook film festival. GREAT choice by SB's Director Alan Inkles ! This film may appeal more to an older crowd ( with a sense of having lived through earlier wars ), but a packed house with spontaneous gasps , oohs and ahhs tells more of it's involving appeal . The young Belgian actor portraying a disenchanted child of a Nazi collaborator and a shallow mother almost "steals" the movie, as an emotional soundboard of this edgy drama. Well done ... well worth your time !

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.

The film was very basic. One thing that really bugged me was how, in a time of war, Bill Paxton's character acted like he was at a country club, having absolutely no idea that his actions just might effect the people that were helping him. With his total disregard for his caretaker's marital status to his "I want to be in public" stance...it just got absurd. I started to wonder what point the movie was trying to make: a). the struggle and sacrifice of the Resistance b). the invasion of the Americans-stealing the Belgian brides. Why is it that a movie like this can't figure out what lines should be spoken in French and what should be in English. The main character floated around in both in a seemingly roll the dice approach. Sometimes she spoke to the American in English, other times in French.

The production value was high and the acting was pretty good otherwise.

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.