Too much of everything

Sadly Over-hyped

Good concept, poorly executed.

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

In the midst of WWII, Charlotte Gray (Cate Blanchett) falls for dashing pilot Peter Gregory. She is recruited into the secret service since she spent time in France and is fluent. When Peter is lost behind the lines, she pushes to get the courier job for the French Resistance. Only she has the ulterior motive to find her missing love. Once on french soil, she finds french communist fighter Julien Levade (Billy Crudup).This is an utterly old fashion melodrama. That has less to do with the setting or time period. It has more to do with the style and the subject matter. The romance has no time to develop and has a very superficial manufactured old romance novel feel. Other than a pretty face, there is nothing to justify the grand romance being depicted. It would probably be more compelling to have this about a family member. Cate Blanchett is a truly wonderful actress, and any positives from this movie are all due to her. There is a sense of danger but it doesn't persist. Director Gillian Armstrong has made a beautiful movie. It just doesn't have better passion or excitement.

I was able to see this via Netflix streaming video.Near the beginning of WW2, Cate Blanchett is fictional Scot Charlotte Gray. She happens to meet James Fleet as Richard Cannerly, a RAF pilot, and it is love at first sight. But they soon are separated when he goes to fly in France, and is soon shot down and missing.Charlotte is fluent in French and volunteers to train for an undercover resistance mission in France, she says because of her patriotic duty. But she really is going in some way to find and save the pilot. If he is even still alive.Among the dozens she encounters is Billy Crudup as French Communist Julien Levade, who makes a lot of noise, helps the resistance, and always narrowly avoids being arrested or shot. He and Charlotte have mostly a dislike for one-another, but as often happens in this type of story changes over time. Also good is Michael Gambon as Levade, Julian's father with a large home in the country, and who also happens to be providing shelter for two Jewish boys whose parents have been taken away. Overall not a terribly good story, which settles eventually in a love triangle, but it is interesting to see how that period in France is portrayed, an uneasy peace between the Germans occupying north France, the south of France still controlled by the French.SPOILERS: Charlotte never finds her pilot, the Jewish boys are trucked away, as well as the old man for having Jewish grandparents. When Charlotte safely returns to London, her pilot eventually shows up too. He is eager to take up where they left off, but war has changed her. When peace breaks out and the war is over, she returns to France to find Julien, identifies her real name, and they embrace.

Damn, I can't believe you Enjoyed that tripe. Look, I read the book, I know, they say the book is always better. Its not about that. Its about the plot went from here to there. They are suppose to represent different languages, from French, English, German, etc. it all becomes the same. There is no plot, just say that you like Julien (sp?) and that should end it. Otherwise, acting sucked. The only tension or awe inspiring moments are when they look look longingly at nothing. Crap. I'm sorry as I may sound mean. Please forgive me like the weird father that didn't have a real place in the story. I do apologize but stupid IMDb claims I have to have 10 lines on this. 10 lines what the hell is that crap. Lets see if this goes through

I know this is a serious board devoted to the merits of the movie... but I would like to just mention the fact that rarely does an actor have the effect on me that Billy Crudup did in this film. Oh my god what a beauty! Perfect in every way... And obviously extremely talented, made more perfect by his professional choices!So, the film. Well, as a (some time ago) graduate of military history, with a particular interest in the sociological effects of war I have a special fondness for stories like this. I sought out the book and devoured it. I loved it, absolutely, as I do pretty much everything else by Sebastian Faulks. I also enjoyed this film immensely, but as a separate entity. A film is generally incapable of reaching the depths your imagination can take you to through reading a truly great book, maybe people should spend more time reading! I don't agree with the mauling this film was given by the critics, it kept me engaged from beginning to end and the happy ending, although a little trite, is a smile worthy event!Sod the dodgy Scottish, Kate Blanchet was believable as far as I'm concerned. Billy was perfect, as I think I might have mentioned! Michael Gambon - always worth watching and the chap that played the teacher was sufficiently creepy from first sight. The boys were sympathetic without being irritating child actors and the atmosphere was intimidating.It was emotional without being over the top, the relationship between the leads was wonderfully portrayed and I feel it was a valuable description of the horrific situation of collaboration.Not the best film I've ever seen but I definitely enjoyed it. And I'm not sure if you've noticed, and I don't like to bring it up, but Billy Crudup is a god among men.Watch it with an open mind.