Europa Europa (1990, Germany)

This film would be almost funny if it wasn't so tragic, which is probably why almost every description one can find about it uses the term "irony." Everything that happens to young Solomon simply strains credulity, and yet they're true. As he stumbles from Germany to Poland, as he ends up in a communist Russian boarding school, as he ends up a war hero in the Nazi army, as a Hitlerjunge. But always he is a scared, lonely boy who is hiding his true identity from a world at war, and it is impossible not to become deeply invested in his story and to hope his deception is powerful enough.

Marco Hofschneider was perfect as the sweet, innocent, scared, lost boy.

The music sounded familiar, though I couldn't place it, and it definitely fit the plot. It sounds like something serious and bad is inevitably, inexorably creeping toward him, one step at a time, just like he's always one step from discovery in every situation he finds himself. It's the sound of Fate steadily closing in.

I would recommend this wonderful, powerful film to anyone and everyone. Truly incredible.

Rating: 4.0

Defiance (2008, U.S.)

Defiance was astounding. So astounding that I'm surprised it wasn't nominated for more Oscars. The story was incredibly moving, all the more so because it was based on a true story. It is really a testament to the human spirit. These brothers' ability to create a community and protect their people and their culture in the face of extreme hardship is inspiring, all the more so because they each stayed true to their beliefs. I thought that the story was well-adapted without making it over-dramatic/emotional while still impressing upon the audience the magnitude and meaning of this quietly heroic undertaking.

The acting was brilliant. I was really impressed with Jamie Bell, a 22-year-old kid who played the youngest brother with a perfect mix of innocence and maturity. Liev Shreiber's character was rough and stoic, and his gruff demeanor never faltered. Daniel Craig stole the show, as I knew he would. That man has talent. Pure talent. All three maintained convincing Eastern European accents too, which was an added bonus. (Word on the street is that the other recent WWII film, Valkyrie, has a scattering of British and American accents where there should be German ones.)

On top of the acting and the subtly told story, the music and scenery just put it over the top. Really, listening to James Newton Howard's beautiful, haunting score filled with violin solos by Joshua Bell while watching beautiful shots of Eastern European forests would have made this film worth seeing by itself, no plot necessary. More movies should be filmed on location. James Newton Howard should do more scores. (His Peter Pan score is one of my all-time favorites.) I can't reinforce enough how much these two elements contributed to this film. And if Defiance doesn't win the Oscar for Best Original Score, I will truly be blown away.

Rating: 4.5

The Governess (1998, UK)

To say the least, this film was different. It's actually the second film I've seen this week with a major theme of antisemitism, although obviously not as prominent as in the Merchant of Venice. Mostly, I don't have strong feelings about this one, one way or the other. As I said, it definitely had a unique plot, but it left me with a desperate desire for resolution, of which there was none.

A few comments on the actors: First, I do have a newfound appreciation of Minnie Driver, who I thought could only play irritating characters, until now. Glad to see I was wrong. Also, I really did not need to see full frontal nudity of Tom Wilkinson (though I guess it was an important plot device). Of course, a nude JRM more than made up for it (though it had absolutely no plot relevance, as far as I could see).

I'd say a stronger overall opinion would require more thought or a second viewing, though I am disinclined toward either.

Rating: 3.0