A SIMPLE AND LOVELY MOVIE. THERE ARE MANY TWISTS IN THE MOVIE.

This movie is successful because of its nuances. It lacks significant action, yet the pace is perfect. It lacks a big reveal, yet has many small reveals that build the suspense and keep the storyline moving along.

The acting is terrific. The cinematography is great, each scene is perfectly framed. The musical score is subtle and complimentary, never gratuitous or annoying. The plot is not complicated, yet offers just enough intrigue to make you wonder what might happen next.

It's a wonderful example of balance: a little of this and a touch that - never too much of anything. And the result when all ingredients come together is a terrific blend. Minus any of those pieces, or overdoing one and underdoing another, it would have been too bland and off balance. This movie came together perfectly with all the right ingredients.

This is a great film - subtle and slow, tense and interesting. It offers a new take on the French country house, and seems to have in the background shades of Le Grand Meaulnes....it's not a love story yet it is (x 2) - and it also speaks of family and passion, secrets and lies. It celebrates all those aspects of French small town delights at the same time as being critical and then disarmingly frank about the nature of war crimes. To describe this film as charming does not do it justice as it is also a kind of thriller. There is great attention to detail and the narrative propels us firmly along, without revealing too much too soon. Additionally, the use of colloquial French by Silvie (the younger woman) is genuine and adds a credibility often lost in similar but badly translated equivalent French/British films. There is much to recommend about this personal long term project with its surprising denouement.