This was a film that grew on me; by the end I decided that I liked it, but the first hour (of a two hour film) left me scratching my head a little, as I didn?t think it was going to be anything more than a rather uninspiring WWII emotional drama, and I?d already figured out how it was all going to end. It DID end as I?d expected, but there was something more to it by the time I actually got there. Just be warned that it?s a ?slow boil? film. It?s certainly an all-star cast, in which, when the names flashed up at the beginning of the film, I had high hopes.

Meryl Streep is undeniably the star of the film, with Charles Dance coming a close second. Streep gives good English accent, at least, and she?s definitely a standout actress. It was good to see this, as it reminded me of the level of (deserved) esteem she was afforded at what I imagine was the ?peak? of her career in the mid 80?s. She?s easily capable of more than just her (less than great) portrayal of Lindy Chamberlain in ?Evil Angels?, thankfully. Based on a play by David Hare (who also wrote the screenplay), directed by Fred Schepisi, and filmed on location in France, Belgium, Tunisia and England, it?s fairly serious stuff, hence the ?drama? classification, despite the moments of attempted humour.

If you can get through the borderline monotony of the first hour, you?ll be home and hosed. Her character seems to come together once Susan ?lets loose? a bitter/regretful tirade in what I consider to be the best 15 minutes of the film for both acting and scriptwriting ability, beginning at about the 60 minute mark. Geilgud and Dance also shine during this period. This intimate embassy dinner scene (featuring Burt Kwouk of ?Pink Panther? fame as Mr Aung) sees Susan, Leonard and Raymond all exposing their pent-up emotions, and I really enjoyed it. And there?s still more that could be delved into, but it?s all too hard to explain ? best to just watch the film, but it requires patience, an appreciation of subtleties, and an awareness of diplomatic process and the ?stiff upper lip? mentality that defines the British soul. You should have a good idea by now of what this film attempts to do. The final thing I want to address is that the primary focus is on the strong but flawed character of Susan. Her portrayal builds momentum as it goes. It?s arguably a woman?s film, overall.

Here?s a plot synopsis for those who want to know before they watch! It?s long because the storyline is quite complex. There are many sub-plots, and I hate leaving things out in this context, because outlining here probably won?t ruin the experience. It?s the characterisation and dialogue that holds the attention in this film. Susan Traherne (Streep) is a British subject involved as a courier in the Special Operations arm of the WWII resistance movement, and is posted to France, along with her Brit Special Ops colleague Dr Tony Radleigh, a wireless radio operator who soon winds up (unsuspiciously) dead in a hotel lobby in Belgium. According to official channels, she?s recorded as his husband, so the ?unaware? Brit ambassador to Belgium, Sir Leonard Darwin (Geilgud), ships her back to London with his body. In the process, she meets Raymond Brock (Dance), who is a high-level diplomat directly serving Darwin, and whom she chooses to confide in concerning her resistance work. Yeah, they become infatuated, of course!

She promptly returns to a ?normal? life as an office assistant at a shipping company where she befriends colleague Alice Park (Ullman) who is clearly an unconventional bohemian character. They share a modest flat, whilst Brock makes weekend, cross-channel visits to Susan to continue their affair. The stubbornly independent Susan soon becomes restless, not being one to be tied down, and decides she wants a child. Commitment is not her thing, so she calls it quits with Brock and shamelessly approaches a working-class ex-flame of Alice?s named Mick (Sting) to choreograph a ?no-strings-attached? pregnancy. He?s not one to take offence, and offers to help! After 18 months and no bubby, she ditches Mick in frustration, but fires several rounds from a small handgun to effect this. As a result, she ends up in a ?hospital? of undefined character, and loyal buddy Alice calls the ever-reliable Brock to retrieve her. He and Susan marry (!), and the action shifts to post-WWII diplomatic relations, and her being a very unhappy diplomat?s wife. I could go on, but won?t from here, as it might spoil the film?s conclusion. In a nutshell, she definitely gets ?plenty?, but at what cost?

THE EXTRAS

Absolutely nothing, apart from scene selection. English language soundtrack only. For a 1984 film, this is becoming fairly typical.

CONCLUSION

It took a while for me to warm to this 1985 drama starring Meryl Streep, Charles Dance, John Geilgud, Sting, Ian McKellen, Sam Neill, Tracy Ullman and other notables. It could be considered heavy going, and slow, with the emphasis on the independent character of WWII resistance fighter/diplomat?s wife Susan Traherne as she struggles with the constraints of the times, and of her own wilfulness. An appreciation of subtleties will help, and it begs for a feminist interpretation. I find this film hard to explain, but it?s definitely one of those Streep standout performances, based on a play by David Hare, and directed by Fred Schepisi. Overall, it?s good. Dance and Geilgud support Streep with strong performances. No extras.