Frantz

An amazing movie on so many levels that is sure to stay with me for several days The photography, the acting, the intriguing storyline, the totally unexpected turns - all contribute to a most remarkable movie.

Frantz is a highly romantic, mesmerizing film that is beautifully acted and sensitively directed from start to finish. Unlike the 1932 film it is based on (Broken Lullaby by Ernst Lubitsch), Ozon’s film is flawless in its pacing, gorgeous to look at, and agonizing as you wonder how it will all end for the characters you have come to care about so deeply. Although it’s hard to believe that Ozon could make a film as moving as Under the Sand or as sly as The Swimming Pool, he has.

This is a very thought-provoking and quite poignant watch. It's ultimately about grief (inevitable death in war) and forgiveness and so its a bit of a sad watch at times. I liked that it is partially black and white, it gives it a bit of a timeless feel to it. Its a relatively arty sort of film as well but not entirely in a pretentious way. The themes are handled sensitively, with quite likeable characters. I would recommend this film to world cinema fans, yes.

Soon after the end WW1, a young Frenchman shows up in a small German town to mourn the loss of his wartime friend. His encounter with the slain soldier's fiancee sets the drama on a complex course. This is beautifully shot (sometimes in black and white and sometimes in color) and rich in evoking the period. François Ozon's filmmaking revels in the slow unfolding of the story and the quiet emotional struggles that develop. An attractive, interesting and well-made look into the struggles of people with conflicting post-war loyalties. (French & German with subtitles)

A Franco-German movie, it is a historical drama about "the lost generation", taking place in a small German town and some places in France immediately after The First World War. A young widow **** soldier living with her fiance's parents (Frantz was his name) meets a young French man who came to Germany to visit Frantz's grave. It is a story about love, vengeance and forgiveness. Nice performances across the board. Some episodes and characters seemed overly simplistic and lacking depth. Beautiful cinematography, mostly in black-and-white, but it had a look of unnatural cleanness. Not a masterpiece in my opinion but worth seeing.