Ivan Lalic Wartime stories are kind a worn out genre, even in Europe, which tried to give them some more humane touch ("A very long engagement", "Atonement", "Enemy at the gates"). "Frantz" is one of those humane dramas about the gallantry and knighthood between the enemies and a discreet love triangle that emerges among the hatred and fresh wounds after the ending of First World War. Slow tempo and gradual building of tension will seduce the viewer in the first part of the movie, but will leave the story open and pretty much without the required climax and outcome. "Frantz" is a solid piece of war/love drama, but not a special one as well.

George Wright This movie was a very beautiful and realistic story about a relationship that springs from World War I (1914-1918). It caught my attention because of director François Ozon, whose originality and insight I've admired in his other movies. The characters in this movie are a German war widow and a French soldier; the dialogue is in French. Set in two countries that fought on opposite sides of the war, it depicts the hostility that people on both sides felt towards one another. Yet there is a humanity that shines through as the main characters deal with the burden of war. The movie is mainly in black/white which to me works well with urban settings, good acting and script. The plot does not follow a predictable path as the two people from opposite sides of German/French border meet and become friends to honour someone whose life drew them together. This friendship is the central theme. The settings, whether in a cemetery, dance hall, beer house, or at a dinner table reinforce the realism. The movie doesn't have an ending that conveniently ties up the loose ends but it doesn't need to.

rps-2 This film is poetry on celluloid. Beautiful, lyrical, powerful, thoughtful, artistic. I could go on... In essence it is a very complex love story set in Germany and France in 1919,the horrors of the Great War still very vivid, very recent and very painful. Complex it may be. But you can follow the story line with no problem, despite its many misleading twists and turns. Much of the plot has to do with well intentioned lies. But that is an over simplification. The story is tender and lovely with moments of both joy and sadness. The film is mostly black and white, done with the rich depth and shading that are so effective when handled by a master. Some scenes are in colour however. They're effective and nicely done but I'm puzzled about their purpose. No matter! This is one beautiful, unique and memorable film.

matthewclarke-00785 I haven't watched a movie like this for a very, very, very long time, the casting is pure genius! Acting is 'off the scale', sets are 'jump into the screen' material!... This movie is pure artistry in the making. If I was an American I'd be asking for a "Part 2" lol..... MASSIVELY, O 4 AWESOME BRILLIANT movie!!!