Review of Sarah's Key (2010) by Daniel P — 09 Aug 2011

A powerful film that details an important historical event (though here in a fictionalised story) - that of the Vel d'Hiv round up - the capture and deportment of Jews by the French and their later encampment and murder.

The story told through the eyes of Sarah - a young girl whose family is captured and whose brother she attempts to save by locking him in a secret cupboard in their apartment - is powerful, shocking and moving.

At the same time, in modern day France, Kristin Scott Thomas gives a typically stunning performance as Julia, a journalist investigating the events of 1942 who discovers the apartment that her husband wants to move into was once lived in by Sarah and her family.

As her personal life begins to take an unexpected turn, she becomes more involved with finding out what happened to Sarah, her brother, and her relatives. For the first two thirds, Sarah's Kery barely puts a foot wrong.

The film is never sensationalist but pucks a mighty punch, with some truly distressing but necessary sequences as we learn more about Sarah's life whilst also finding how this fits in with Julia's investigations.

It really is brilliant stuff. Alas, the final third, though still very watchable, loses grip somewhat and becomes more about Julia's journey, which it has to be said, is beyond mild compared to Sarah's story, and neither the compelling performances or solid direction quite re-capture anything close to the opening 70 minutes.

Still, Sarah's Key is a unique and poignant film and the final line will leave not a dry eye in the house.