the exception
★★★★
Director: David Leveaux (debut)
Starring: lily james, jai courtney, christopher plummer, and janet mcteer.
REVIEWER: lyall carter
A German soldier tries to determine if the Dutch resistance has planted a spy to infiltrate the home of Kaiser Wilhelm in Holland during the onset of World War II, but falls for a young Jewish Dutch woman during his investigation.
As a reviewer ​when you are sent the monthly list of home entertainment releases you often glance down with suspicion at those films that are direct to DVD releases. More often than not they aren't very good at all. Despite the great cast I had the same suspicions with The Exception. I couldn't have been more wrong. A cracking WWII espionage tale and packed to the rafters with a great cast, The Exception is a must watch.
Captain Brandt, a young German soldier has been transferred to Holland to head up the security for Kaiser Wilhelm the Second, the exiled German monarch. On arrival he is told that the Gestapo believe that there is a British spy nearby. At the same time Brandt falls in love with a young Jewish house maid who serves in the Kaiser's household.
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The Exception's story has something for everyone. There is the WWII espionage element which is not only thrilling but keeps the audience guessing as to the identity of the British spy but also their motives. The Exception also has romance but of the forbidden kind as cupid strikes between sworn enemies: a German soldier and a young Jewish woman.
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Christopher Plummer received great plaudits, and rightly so, for his ring - in role as J. Paul Getty in Ridley Scott's All the Money in the World but in The Exception his full acting range is on full display. Lily James and Jai Courtney are both outstanding as the star crossed lovers with palpable chemistry.
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A gripping spy thriller and World War II romance with a great cast, The Exception is a film not to be missed.
★★★★
The Exception is available on DVD and digital from all good disc and digital retailers.
