Jai Courtney plays a gym-buffed German soldier who’s sent to the Netherlands to protect and spy on exiled Monarch Kaiser Wilhelm II (Christopher Plummer). Almost immediately upon arrival, he falls for a maid (Lily James), which introduces a quandary: allegiance to his country or to his heart. Their relationship has some interesting romantic (and erotic) moments, but Plummer’s showcase speeches slow the story’s momentum. While there’s potential for a gripping romantic drama, the interactions are too muted to do any gripping. The period elements make for an attractive look, but the subdued direction and passive pacing keep this film from being exceptional. (Criterion Cinemas only)
(3 / 5)