claytons-247-235960

Who would expect a film set in 1942 Nazi Germany about a group of resistance fighters to be cheerful? But this film, based on true events, is compelling if at times confronting. Hilde is a young, pregnant woman who with her husband is caught with an illegal radio transmitter and is eventually sentenced to death. Through flashbacks the film tells the story of the couple meeting and the attempts at resistance they and their friends undertake. Oddly, these flashbacks do move around in time, mostly but not always moving further back, but it's always clear where the viewer is. Once caught, Hilde's prison experience is at times confronting, but I really appreciated that most of the prison staff are not presented one dimensionally but with touches of humanity as well. As noted in the details in IMDB, the film concludes with a few words from her son, born in prison and now 80. Overall, the acting, the cinematography and the editing are properly subservient to the storytelling so that only in retrospect does one realise how effective they are.

Lesbian, yes, but not as full on as perhaps expected. Of course there are a handful of explicit scenes. However, this film is beautifully set in its time period - that of Margaret Thatcher's Britain - and with considerable complexity in all the characterisations. The film tells an all too credible story. Much as one might not care for the full-on gay lifestyle at times depicted it becomes apparent how one might be forced into it by the mores of the time. Fine acting, especially Rosie McEwen as Jean, and the rest of the cast were equally capable. The cinematography is both excellent and unobtrusive.

A different love affair, very well done. Why is it that we unthinking accept older men with much younger women, but jib at the reverse? Fanny Ardant might well change some minds - this was unquestionably a great role for her. Fortunately the rest of the cast are up to her standard. Some humour, some pathos, and a story line that knows where it's going, though perhaps falters a little at the end (a couple of times I thought, is this the closing shot? When it wasn't)

Well filmed in a variety of locations - though I doubt the Kinsale tourist bureau will be promoting this film! Most attractive and appropriate music, too.