Just perfect...

An Exercise In Nonsense

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

***SPOILERS***Love story at the hight of WWII in Nazi occupied Belgium involving an American airman Maj. Ted Brice, Bill Paxton, who's the only survivor of his reconnaissance plane who's been protected by local woman the pretty Claire Daussois, Julia Ormond, in the attic of her house in the little town of Delahaut. It just happens that Claire's husband Harie, Phillip Volter, is a member of the Belgium resistance the "Maquis" who's been battling the Nazi oppresses for the last four years and during all that time had no time to have the comfort of married life with the beautiful wife Claire. Something that the American airman Ted, suffering from a broken leg, soon had more then he could handle.As it turned out the crashed US plane had a number of top secret codes in it regarding the top secret planned invasion of Western Europe that the Nazis want to desperately get their grubby hands on. And the only man who can reveal those codes is Maj. Ted Brice who's very existence is at the time unknown to the Nazis. Some complications soon arrive with a member of the resistance gunning down three German solders on the crash site that has the Nazi high command order brutal reprisals, by being shot & hanged, of the local population. This despite having such a good time in the sack as well, in a really hot & steamy scene in the movie, bathtub with Calire has the guilt ridden Ted get on with his mission, in liberating Nazi occupied Western Europe, full blast in him getting in touch with the resistance movement through Claire's husband, who seems to know what's going on between the two, Harie.***SPOILERS*** As things turn out Harie has other things on his mind other the saving his wife's lovers life but like everything else he does it backfired in his face. As for Ted he's caught trying to get in touch with the resistance by the Nazis and brutally tortured by them to get the secret code about the forthcoming invasion of Western Europe by the allies. It's when Claire is arrested and tortured by the Nazis that Ted breaks down and spills his guts to his Nazi captors in what he knows in order to save her life and prevent any farther Nazi retaliation against the local villagers. In knowing that he's doomed to be executed by the Nazis Ted gives them what they want in who killed the three German solders at the crash site to spear the people of Delahaut any more suffering. That suffering the brave and courageous Maj. Ted Brice took upon himself!

On 16 January 1944, a reconnaissance American pilot survives a plane crash in Delahaut in the Nazi occupied Belgium. The boy Jean Benoit (Antoine Van Lierde) finds the wounded pilot and brings him to the house of Claire (Julia Ormond) and Henri Daussois (Philippe Volter) that belong to the Maquis Resistance. Sooner the Major Theodore 'Ted' Brice (Bill Paxton) is recovered and tells that he needs to retrieve a book of codes, but the airplane is guarded by the Nazis. Meanwhile Ted and Claire fall in love with each other. When three German guards that are protecting the debris of the airplane are executed, the Nazis select a group of villagers and hang them in a barn. When Henri finds that Ted and Claire are having a love affair, he betrays the pilot with tragic consequences."Resistance" is a nice romance with the gorgeous Julia Ormond and Bill Paxton showing a great chemistry but unfortunately in an unrealistic environment. The crush of Ted and Claire is acceptable since her marriage is ended but the situation of the couple dating in France is awfully silly and the betrayal of Henri is ridiculous and incoherent for a member of the resistance. My vote is six.Title (Brazil): "Amor e Guerra" ("Love and War")

The film was very basic. One thing that really bugged me was how, in a time of war, Bill Paxton's character acted like he was at a country club, having absolutely no idea that his actions just might effect the people that were helping him. With his total disregard for his caretaker's marital status to his "I want to be in public" stance...it just got absurd. I started to wonder what point the movie was trying to make: a). the struggle and sacrifice of the Resistance b). the invasion of the Americans-stealing the Belgian brides. Why is it that a movie like this can't figure out what lines should be spoken in French and what should be in English. The main character floated around in both in a seemingly roll the dice approach. Sometimes she spoke to the American in English, other times in French.The production value was high and the acting was pretty good otherwise.

Best dramatic work by Bill Paxton since "Apollo 13" and " A Simple Plan", and Julia Ormond's ( since her limited role in "Legends of the Fall" ). Engrossing and believable WW II tale . I personally viewed this film at the kick-off of the Stony Brook film festival. GREAT choice by SB's Director Alan Inkles ! This film may appeal more to an older crowd ( with a sense of having lived through earlier wars ), but a packed house with spontaneous gasps , oohs and ahhs tells more of it's involving appeal . The young Belgian actor portraying a disenchanted child of a Nazi collaborator and a shallow mother almost "steals" the movie, as an emotional soundboard of this edgy drama. Well done ... well worth your time !