Franz 2016

     This film is based on the American anti-war drama Broken Lullaby of 1932 directed by Ernst Lubitsch.  Ernst based his film on a play by Maurice Rostand.  Ernst was a German filmmaker born in January 1892 and he died November 1947.  The setting is Quedlinburg, Germany of 1919.  Anna was engaged to Frantz Hoffmeister but he was killed in the Great War.  She is living with Frantz’s parents and they are all devastated by this loss.  A mysterious Frenchman is noticed paying his respects at the grave of Frantz.  Anna does some checking and she learns the man is Adrien Rivoire.  He begins a friendship with Anna and Frantz’s parents Magda and Doktor Hans.  Their hearts begin to heal by listening to the stories of the friendship in Paris between Adrien and Frantz. 

     There is tremendous animosity between the French and German people during this time because of the great losses of life on both sides in the war.  The wounds of the people are so deep that they want to lash out because of their intense pain.  Anna had hoped to visit Paris with Frantz for their honeymoon and she speaks both French and German.  Adrien speaks French but some German.  This film is in black and white except for some scenes in color.  There is a LOT of drama, emotion and melancholy in this film.  3 ½* (I liked this movie)

113 min, Drama directed by Francoiz Ozon with Pierre Niney, Paula Beer, Ernst Stotzner, Marie Bruber, Johann von Bulow, Anton von Lucke, Cyrielle Clair, Alice de Lencquesaing, Axel Wandtke, Rainer Egger, Merlin Rose.

Note:  Imdb 7.5 out of 10, 90% critic 85% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Roger Ebert 2*, Amazon 4.7* out of 5* with 8 reviews.

Special Note:  Filmed in Saxony-Anhalt and Saxony, Germany; Essonne, Paris, Haute-Vienne and Oise, France.  Other films by Francois Ozon are See the Sea, Under the Sand, 8 Women, Swimming Pool, Young and Beautiful, The New Girlfriend, Angel, Ricky.