‘The Exception’ review [TIFF ’16]

The Exception review: David Leveaux makes his feature directorial debut with this romance/ drama set at the height of World War II.

The Exception review, Paul Heath, Toronto International Film Festival 2016.

Jai Courtney turns leading man for this World War II spy romance that puts him opposite acting heavyweights Christopher Plummer, Eddie Marsan and leading lady Lily James.

The story revolves around German SS officer Captain Stefan Brandt (Courtney) who is positioned in rural Holland to protect Kaiser Wilhelm (Christopher Plummer) because the SS believe that the Dutch resistance have planted a spy in the vicinity of his home. However, things go awry when Brandt falls for a young Jewish woman who is working as one of Willhelm’s housemaids.

The Exception won’t surprise you with its basic plot beats, TV-movie-like look and predictable outcomes, but will mostly please throughout. The film’s biggest asset is its well-written dialogue, particularly the material given to Plummer’s dethroned Kaiser. His unpredictable tantrums and wit delight throughout – possibly of the best characters we’ve seen the seasoned actor play in recent years. Courtney too pleases as despite a few wobbly lines in his German/ Aussie accent early on, but this is perhaps his most solid turn to date – certainly since he’s made the transition to Hollywood. His Brandt plays perfectly opposite Lily James’ Mieke de Jon, a quiet, humbled servant who seems to have a strong, unspoken bond with her employer. Marsan is well-placed too as Hitler’s right-hand man and leader of the SS, Heinrich Himmler, though his appearance is sadly limited to just a couple of scenes. Any film with Marsan in it give it that extra gravitas and you know that the source material will be strong if he’s put his name to it – which is the case here.

Stage helmer David Leveaux‘s motion picture debut is actually a strong one. The celebrated stage helmer manages to extract well-honed performances from all of his actors, and seems equally solid at creating tension during the film’s few edge-of-you-seat moments, which, while predictable don’t actually leave you feeling disappointed once the slightly clichéd finale plays out.

Not a classic by any stretch, but we were surprised by this decent character-driven war-time drama, mostly from Plummer and Courtney who seems to be finally setting himself on the right path as he continues his journey in Hollywood.

The Exception review by Paul Heath, TIFF 2016.

The Exception is awaiting a release date.