Casey Chong presents a selection of underrated World War II romance movies to add to your watchlist…
World War II has inspired many filmmakers to explore the subject matter from different perspectives, one of which includes the romantic elements set against the backdrop of the war-torn country. Popular and much talked-about movies like Casablanca, The English Patient, The Notebook and Atonement dominated the big screen with their respectively captivating stories and memorable characters. Of course, amid these aforementioned World War II romance movies lies a few more like-minded yet underseen films that deserve attention. Here are seven underrated World War II romance movies worth checking out if you haven’t done so already…
Suite Française (2014)
Saul Dibb’s first movie in seven years since The Duchess starring Keira Knightley, this little-seen World War II romance follows the story of star-crossed lovers Michelle Williams’ Lucile and Bruno, a high-ranking German soldier played by Matthias Schoenaerts, which takes place in the backdrop of a Nazi-occupied France.
Dibb doesn’t just focus on their budding romance anchored by the sexual tension but also leaves ample room for his cast to shine, notably Williams’ lead role as the conflicted Lucile, while Kristen Scott Thomas nails the icy precision of a tyrannical mother-in-law character. Suite Française is also lavishly shot, thanks to Eduard Grau’s majestic cinematography while the chemistry between Williams and Schoenaerts serves as one of the highlights of the movie.
A Walk in the Clouds (1995)
The Keanu Reeves of today may be primarily known for his iconic John Wick role, but back in the ‘90s, the actor dabbled in a bunch of different genres. One of them is an elegantly paced World War II romantic drama, A Walk in the Clouds, which stars Reeves as a U.S. Army sergeant returning home from the war to reunite with his wife (Debra Messing). But the reunion isn’t something that he expects and long story short, he’s going back to his old job selling chocolate before fate intervenes and he meets a beautiful stranger named Victoria (a stunning Aitana Sánchez-Gijón).
Arau deliberately develops the relationship between Reeves’ Paul Sutton and Gijón’s Victoria. Reeves’ acting tends to be stiff in some scenes but overall, A Walk in the Clouds benefits from their wonderful chemistry and strong supporting turns backed by the likes of Anthony Quinn and Giancarlo Giannini as Victoria’s grandfather and father. The movie is equally a feast for the eyes with Emmanuel Lubezki’s soft-focused cinematography capturing the beautifully lush setting of the Napa Valley vineyard.
Yanks (1979)
A year after he starred in Terrence Malick’s Days of Heaven, the young Richard Gere continued to embrace his romantic side in Yanks, a movie that may take place during the World War II era, but Marathon Man director John Schlesinger isn’t interested in depicting the typically harrowing look at war. Instead, he subverts the tropes with his unhurried direction by focusing primarily on the American soldiers occupying a rural Northern England town awaiting action.
One of the soldiers includes Sergeant Matt Dyson (Richard Gere), who gradually finds himself falling in love with the local British young woman, Jean Moreton (Lisa Eichhorn). Yanks may be lengthy, but the movie gets enough of a boost from Gere’s overall charming performance in one of his earlier roles while sharing a simmering chemistry with the beautiful Lisa Eichhorn.
Head in the Clouds (2004)
Fresh off her Oscar win in Monster, Charlize Theron’s follow-up, the World War II romantic drama Head in the Clouds, sadly tumbled both critically and financially. The story focuses on three characters: a carefree Gilda (Charlize Theron) who falls for a shy Irishman, Guy played by Stuart Townsend, and Mia (Penelope Cruz), who is Gilda’s roommate.
Writer-director John Duigan explores the turbulent yet passionate relationship between Gilda and Guy before raising the stakes by tapping into the complicated love triangle, which includes Mia. Theron’s devil-may-care role is the highlight in Head in the Clouds, showcasing both her alluring and sympathetic sides, while the movie is gorgeously lensed by Paul Sarossy, capturing the period settings from the various timelines including the lavish 1930s Paris to the Spanish Civil War and World War II era.
The Exception (2016)
Based on Alan Judd’s 2003 novel The Kaiser’s Last Kiss, The Exception mixes forbidden romance with the intrigue of an espionage drama set during World War II’s Nazi-occupied Netherlands. The story follows German captain Brandt (Jai Courtney), who is assigned to protect the exiled Kaiser Wilhelm II (a stellar Christopher Plummer) in his residence against the potential attempt at his assassination by an Allied spy. Brandt finds himself immediately attracted to one of Kaiser’s maids, Mieke (Lily James), leading to a series of illicit moments after the two unexpectedly fall for each other.
The movie benefits from Courtney and James’ love-hate chemistry and how their romance gradually leads to a conflict once the truth is revealed. Meanwhile, stage director David Leveaux proves to be adept in transitioning into his first big screen feature in The Exception, showcasing his flair for incorporating various elements with enough panache.
Shining Through (1992)
Shining Through marked the third directorial feature for David Seltzer, best known for his screenwriting credit in The Omen. Adapted from Susan Isaacs’ 1988 novel of the same name, the story treads on the familiar but effective ground about a secretary (Melanie Griffith), willing to risk her life going undercover as a German cook for a Nazi officer to gather valuable info.
The movie successfully highlights the passionate romance between the feisty Griffith and the perfectly stoic Michael Douglas, who plays the attorney-turned-OSS colonel. Their chemistry shines through (no pun intended) right from the moment they meet earlier in the movie. Seltzer equally amps up the tension and suspense with the prominent stretch surrounding Griffith’s undercover mission, showcasing his flair for assured genre know-how in the espionage genre. Shining Through also gets an extra boost from strong support including Liam Neeson as one of the high-ranking German officers and the radiant Joely Richardson as Linda’s German socialite-comrade.
The End of the Affair (1999)
Writer-director Neil Jordan explores the torrid love affair between a novelist (Ralph Fiennes’ Maurice Bendrix) and a married young woman (Julianne Moore’s Sarah Miles), detailing everything from their secret meeting to the carnal pleasure. Jordan directed the sex scenes without succumbing to a cheap titillation and it helps that Fiennes and Moore are fully committed to their roles. Their chemistry sizzles and beyond the lust and desire, the story also digs deeper into the consequences of their affair.
The End of the Affair is equally notable for its second half, especially during the turning point of their intimate session is disrupted by the bombs during World War II. From here, Jordan incorporates a Rashomon-style narrative, shifting from Maurice’s to Sarah’s point of view while revealing their respective experience and emotional connection. The movie is also a triumph in its technical feat, notably in Roger Pratt’s atmospheric cinematography.
What are your favourite World War II romance movies? Let us know your own recommendations over on our socials @FlickeringMyth…
Casey Chong
