"Diplomatie" (2014 release from France; 90 min.) is the big screen adaptation of the theatre play of the same name by Cyril Gely. (Disclaimer: I have not seen the theatre play.) The story takes place on the eve of the liberation of Paris in late August, 1944. The German commander-in-charge, General von Choltitz, has orders to destroy all of the main landmarks of Paris (Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame cathedral, etc.). Enter French diplomat Raoul Nordling, who tries talking von Choltitz out of implementing the orders from Berlin. To tell you more would spoil your viewing experience, you'll just have to see for yourself how it all plays out.

Several comments: this movie is directed by none other than legendary German film maker Volker Schlöndorff, yes he of "The Tin Drum" from the late 1970s. Who knew he was still around and making movies? Second, while on some occasions there are scenes shot outside, beware that most of the movie takes place in the room at the Hotel Meurice where General von Scholtitz is based, and it truly needs to be emphasized that this is a theatre play brought to the big screen, but still very much a theatre play. Last but certainly not least, the acting performances of the two lead actors (André Dussollier as Raoul Nordling, and Niels Arestrup as General von Choltitz) are nothing short of top-notch and truly carry the film.

"Diplomatie" has garnered rave reviews in Europe, and the screening I saw this at in Antwerp, Belgium last week during a recent family visit, was very well attended. Still, I don't know to what extent this success could be replicated in the US. For me, the movie was a slight bit too static to fully engage me from start to finish. But I would readily suggest that you check this movie out if you get the chance, and draw your own conclusions.

Volker Schlöndorff's newest film starts with a montage of images of a destroyed city from World War II. At the same time. we are listening to tragic classical music. The central question here is: Will Paris face the same fate? Of course, everybody knows the answer is no. That does not take away any tension from the movie, however. Usually, we know how historic films end and the challenge is to make it an exciting watch despite that, without the element of surprise. The director really succeeded here. Schlöndorff, whose biggest success so far is an Academy Award win in the Foreign Language Film category for another movie related to World War II, came up with this one together with Cyril Gely, who is responsible for the play that this movie is based on.

The story is fairly simple. A Swedish diplomat (arrives roughly 15 minutes into the film) has to convince a German politician (start to finish) in charge of Paris to act against Hitler's order of burning down all of Paris' sights before the Allied forces can take back the city. The German's family background is essential as well as the destruction of German cities like Dresden. The two main characters are played competently by French actors Dussolier and Arestrup. Other than that, the movie is packed with German actors, such as a personal favorite of mine, Burghhart Klaußner, who's only in it early on before Dussolier takes over, but has a significant role as his character completely obeys Hitler's orders and wants Arestrup's character to burn everything down, which would mean: no Louvre today, no Eiffel Tower etc.

One of my favorite moments of the conversation and relationship between the two main figures was when Dussolier's character steps to the window and is immediately ordered back by Arestrup's character, so that he cannot give any signs to the resistance. Dussolier's character starts talking about the children of his counterpart right afterward and Arestrup's character does not care anymore about him being at the window. As much political rivalry as there is, the two seem to connect on a certain level. If there was any problem I had with the film, it may have been the ending. It should have ended right away when he decided not to blast everything. The shot-in-the-head scene with those acting against the order of Arestrup's character added little to the movie and the same goes for everything involving the concierge. Other than that, it was a really entertaining 80 minutes of diplomacy carried by the two actors and it was no problem at all that only the very basic frame was historically accurate and probably all the dialogs were completely fictitious. Nonetheless, with these dozens of WWII-movies out there, this particular subject is one which there has not been shed really much light on so far, which makes it so much worth watching. Very much recommended.

It makes sense that this is based on a play (which I haven't seen and didn't know prior to watching the movie). The movie itself feels like a play. Which might not be your cup of tea of course but is handled with great care. It's a tough subject nonetheless, though mostly not in a visual sense.

It's a movie where there is a lot of talks and which gives you a feeling of what politics and decision making is all about. It's about what orders are, what the consequences can be if they are not followed and the absurdity to know when something is over but still having to try to maintain an order and do/say despicable things. Great acting in a dual language film (german/french),that is riveting in its own rights ...