Review of Charlotte Gray (2001) by Stuart K — 02 Sep 2011
Based on Sebastian Faulks' 1999 novel, and brought to the screen by Australian director Gillian Armstrong (Little Women (1994) and Oscar and Lucinda (1997)). This is a low-key tale of espionage in World War 2.
It's the sort of tale more suited to a Sunday Afternoon on BBC, but it does have an engaging female lead. In 1942, this has the titular Charlotte Gray (Cate Blanchett), from Scotland going down to London to work in a hospital.
She makes an acquaintance with Richard Cannerley (James Fleet) who invites her to a book launch in London. Turns out Cannerley is working with the government, and they're looking for spies to be dropped into France to help with the war effort, where she'll be working as a courier under the name of Dominique for the French Resistance in the South-West of France.
She gets a job as a housekeeper for secret Jew Levade (Michael Gambon), whose son Julien (Billy Crudup) is a major part of the Resistance. However, the Nazi's are closing in on the area, and Gray and Julien have to stay one step ahead to help the resistance.
It's got some good moments, but there's no real fireworks so to speak of, it shows a different side to WW2, not one on the battlefield or involving soldiers or tanks. Blanchett is wonderful as always, as is Gambon.
But that's it.
This review of Charlotte Gray (2001) was written by Stuart K on 02 Sep 2011.
Charlotte Gray has generally received positive reviews.
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