It's set in early 1990s France, and tells the story of a Nazi collaborator in Vichy France trying to avoid capture by authorities and murder by supposed Jewish commandos.
Pierre Brossard (Michael Caine) is the Nazi collaborator, who in 1944 oversaw the execution of seven Jewish men. He was sentenced to death, but escaped. In the 1970s he was pardoned by the French government to great controversy, and was later charged again with crimes against humanity. In the film, Judge Annemarie Livi (Tilda Swinton) leads a new investigation with the assistance of Colonel Roux (Jeremy Northam). The military assist because the police are believed to be helping Brossard.
In the film we meet many Catholic Church clerics who assist in hiding Brossard for over 40 years. For fans of the Stratford Festival in Ontario, Canada, they include a Father Le Moyne (William Hutt), part of a secret Catholic "Chevalier" society that protects former Vichy France collaborators. Another short appearance is made by Brossard's estranged wife, Nicole (Charlotte Rampling).
The plot also include assassins trying to kill Brossard while leaving a statement that he was executed for the killing of the seven Jews in 1944. It is initially thought the assassins are Jews seeking revenge, but the plot takes a turn by the end.
The potential for this film is great, but the screenplay does not fulfill the possibilities. It is very didactic at points, detracting from the dramatic potential. Caine is strong in the role of Brossard, Northam and Swinton have less material with which to work. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the film overall.
Pierre Brossard (Michael Caine) is the Nazi collaborator, who in 1944 oversaw the execution of seven Jewish men. He was sentenced to death, but escaped. In the 1970s he was pardoned by the French government to great controversy, and was later charged again with crimes against humanity. In the film, Judge Annemarie Livi (Tilda Swinton) leads a new investigation with the assistance of Colonel Roux (Jeremy Northam). The military assist because the police are believed to be helping Brossard.
In the film we meet many Catholic Church clerics who assist in hiding Brossard for over 40 years. For fans of the Stratford Festival in Ontario, Canada, they include a Father Le Moyne (William Hutt), part of a secret Catholic "Chevalier" society that protects former Vichy France collaborators. Another short appearance is made by Brossard's estranged wife, Nicole (Charlotte Rampling).
The plot also include assassins trying to kill Brossard while leaving a statement that he was executed for the killing of the seven Jews in 1944. It is initially thought the assassins are Jews seeking revenge, but the plot takes a turn by the end.
The potential for this film is great, but the screenplay does not fulfill the possibilities. It is very didactic at points, detracting from the dramatic potential. Caine is strong in the role of Brossard, Northam and Swinton have less material with which to work. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the film overall.