The Aftermath

Since the movie poster with the prominent appearance of my favorite actress Keira Knightley appears on the cover of the freshly re-released novel by the same name I consider it justified to compare the movie adaptation to the book and its notable deviations from the original plot. I read through a fair slice of the book and while I understand a movie adaptation must cut corners for the necessity of brevity it is quite remarkable to cut an entire character out of the plot. Since in the book there's an interesting dynamic developing between Freda (or Frieda), which is the German's daughter and the surviving son of the British couple and that whole plot has been cut from the movie because there's no remaining son! The parents are grieving for the loss of one of their children but would have all the more reason to persist in their faltering marriage if not for the bereft sibling. Another missing character is a woman that the British man hires for army work and with who he also was developing some sort of affair, even if that would not come to fruition it is an important part of understanding why the couple was growing apart: with the woman taking a liking to the German architect and her soldier husband to someone of is staff. Without these key ingredients what is left in the movie is only the one-sided affair of the woman with the German. It's quite incomprehensible that while the movie still has a duration of almost 2 hours there was no time to include these plot elements and it would have given the movie some more depth and have kept the story going on a heightened pace. What's left of the movie is not entirely bad and the main actors are making the most of what they are given to work with, but being familiar with the book left me with a feeling of disappointment.

"The Aftermath" is based on the novel of the same name by Rhidian Brook and stars Keira Knightley, Alexander Skarsgård, and Jason Clarke in the lead roles. Set against the backdrop of a war-torn city, the film explores themes of loss, grief, love, and reconciliation in the aftermath of conflict.

One of the strengths of "The Aftermath" is its atmospheric setting. The film takes place in Hamburg, Germany, in 1946, just after the end of World War II. The devastated city, with its ruins and desolate landscapes, serves as a powerful backdrop for the characters' struggles and emotions. The production design and cinematography effectively capture the post-war era, creating a somber and melancholic atmosphere that adds depth to the story.

The performances in the film are exceptional. Keira Knightley delivers a compelling performance as Rachael Morgan, a grieving wife who arrives in Hamburg to join her husband, Lewis, played by Jason Clarke, who is a British colonel tasked with overseeing the city's reconstruction. Knightley portrays Rachael's inner turmoil with subtlety and emotional depth, capturing the complexities of her character as she grapples with her grief, guilt, and conflicting emotions.

Alexander Skarsgård is also impressive as Stefan Lubert, a German architect who lost his wife during the war and now works for Lewis. Skarsgård brings a quiet intensity to his role, displaying a range of emotions as Stefan forms a bond with Rachael, leading to a complicated romantic relationship that adds tension to the story.

The film's screenplay, adapted by Joe Shrapnel and Anna Waterhouse, delves into the aftermath of war and the challenges of reconciliation. It explores the complexities of human emotions, the scars left by war, and the struggle to move forward amidst grief and guilt. The film also delves into the tensions between the British and the Germans, as well as the conflicts that arise within Rachael and Lewis' marriage as they try to navigate their strained relationship in the aftermath of war.

Visually, "The Aftermath" is stunning. The film's period-accurate costumes, set designs, and cinematography effectively transport the audience to the post-war era. The contrast between the destruction of the city and the beauty of its surroundings creates a visually captivating experience that enhances the storytelling.

However, one criticism of the film is that the pacing can be slow at times, which may impact the engagement of some viewers. Additionally, some may find the romantic storyline between Rachael and Stefan somewhat predictable and formulaic.

Overall, "The Aftermath" is a beautifully crafted period drama that offers a poignant exploration of love, loss, and healing in the aftermath of war. The performances, particularly from Knightley and Skarsgård, are strong, and the film's atmospheric setting and visual aesthetics add depth to the story. Despite some pacing issues and familiar romantic tropes, "The Aftermath" is a thought-provoking film that delves into the complexities of human emotions and the aftermath of conflict.

Greetings again from the darkness. It's 1945 on the heels of the Allied forces victory in WWII. British officer Lewis Morgan is charged with overseeing the military's role in beginning the process of returning a sense of normalcy back to Hamburg (and assisting with hunting Nazi loyalists). He is joined there by his wife Rachel, and they are to occupy a beautiful mansion that has been "requisitioned" from a German architect and his daughter. Captain Morgan makes the unusual offer of having the man and his daughter remain in the house, rather than relocate to one of the dreadful camps, where food and privacy is scarce. Here's a tip gentlemen: never invite Alexander Skarsgard to live in the same house as your significant other.

Captain Morgan is played by Jason Clarke, and his wife Rachel by Keira Knightley. The aforementioned Skarsgard is Stephen Lubert, and Flora Thieman plays Freda, his rebellious teenage daughter. On her train ride in, Rachel hears a young girl discussing the rule of "no fraternizing" with the German people. Of course, we know (even if Rachel doesn't know yet) that it's not the little girl who is going to break this rule. An awkward reunion for Morgan and his wife indicates something is amiss. We soon learn that their young son was killed 4 years prior in a bombing - a hardship they share with Mr. Lubert, whose wife was also killed during the war. Clearly the loss of her son still impacts Rachel to the point that she rarely finds a moment of happiness.

If this was a "Seinfeld" episode, this is where 'yada, yada, yada' would be inserted, letting us know that a tryst between Lubert and Rachel occurs while husband Morgan is out on duty, and that romp brings her instantly back to life ... with smiles and piano playing. This little lovefest is contrasted with the rubble of Hamburg. The city is literally in ruins. The visuals are impressive, but we never get a feel for the challenge of rebuilding infrastructure and lives. Instead, we get more forbidden love.

Director James Kent is known mostly for his TV work, and the film is based on the novel by Rhidian Brook, who co-wrote the screenplay with Joe Shrapnel and Anna Waterhouse. It would be a mistake to assume, given the outstanding three lead actors, that this is a prestigious WWII drama. An accurate description would be 'soap opera.' The set design, costumes, and cast are first rate, but the direction, script, and editing scream soap opera. I believe my final count was 12. That's 12 shots of someone gazing out of a window ... train windows, car windows, house windows, bus windows ... every window gets its shot of winsome gazing. It's best you know going in to expect a soap opera ... not that there's anything wrong with that.

Keira Knightley is simply outstanding in this drama about a woman torn between two men at the end of WW2. Very much in the vein of a Merchant Ivory production; might seem old-fashioned by modern standards, but there is definitely a place for this type of film, which is largely missing from current productions. An enjoyable, moving and beautiful film.

I sought out The Aftermath primarily because of an interest in its setting, post war occupied Germany. What I found was a well made film, full of great performances. All of the characters in this film were emotionally wounded in some way and it was fascinating to watch them clash and interact.

A handsome and compelling production, I don't understand some of the poor reviews I've seen for this movie. Romantic films really aren't my thing but The Aftermath held my attention throughout its running time.

Great ending too.