Odette

I have to admit, rating this film left me quite torn (and honestly, I still am). I wavered a lot between three and four stars, and while I ultimately settled on a strong three, it feels a bit unfair because, with a bit more creative effort, it could have easily been a solid four. The Brits didn't take too many liberties with Odette's powerful story, and with the war ending just five years prior, they didn't have much trouble with historical accuracy. However, this is where my second major issue arises. I’m not sure what the filmmakers were thinking, but filling the Geheime Staatspolizei building with Wehrmacht personnel was definitely a bad move. This led to a bizarre scene where Gestapo officers in army uniforms were overlooked by a portrait of Reichsführer SS, and apparently, no one from Albion found this odd. My first significant problem was that the British secret agents spoke English in France. Sure, it could have worked if everyone pretended the actors were speaking French. But the occasional French word or sentence broke that illusion quickly. Additionally, all the characters blatantly ignored basic rules of espionage, planning their actions in public places (like pubs and streets) with enough French locals around to make any ordinary Englishman feel uncomfortable, let alone one working undercover in enemy territory. The third issue was simply that I didn't buy the British actors as German officers. Despite these flaws, which tainted my overall impression, I can't deny that Odette is a well-made film. I wasn't bored for a moment, and it brought to life the stories of incredibly brave people whose courage shouldn't be forgotten. / Lesson learned: If you find yourself in a tight spot, pretend you're a celebrity. 3*+ (28.06.2024)