This is a romance and drama unfolding against the setting of World War Two. The narrative centers on a young married woman whose spouse is engaged in fighting Germans during the 1940s conflict. When her village comes under Nazi control, a German officer is billeted in her home. He’s portrayed as different from typical German soldiers, and they unexpectedly find themselves falling for each other, despite the difficult circumstances. Their relationship becomes an affair that must be concealed, though it offers some measure of relief to those experiencing hardship. The story explores how long this clandestine connection can endure and what form its conclusion will take. It’s a notably different kind of World War Two drama than I've encountered before; accepting the premise isn’t straightforward given our understanding of how that war was waged. However, it proved to be an effective approach, highlighting a gentler, more romantic side. Michelle Williams and Matthias Schoenaerts both delivered excellent performances in their roles. It’s a well-crafted film featuring lovely cinematography and music, as well as skillful direction. What made this film stand out was its unusual origin story. The plot is compelling beyond what the movie itself presents; it's adapted from a book published in 2004, but the manuscript dates back over fifty years to before World War Two began. There are moments of suspense and romantic appeal, all shaped by the pervasive influence of the war. I was pleasantly surprised—it exceeded my expectations. The ending felt somewhat rushed; resolving things with dialogue rather than visuals would have been preferable, even if it had added another fifteen minutes or so. It’s not for everyone, but worth considering trying nonetheless. _7/10_

Source on TMDB