‘The Exception‘, the 2016 late debut and by now the only feature film ever made by theater director David Leveaux, is based on a novel written by Alan Judd, whose hero is Wilhelm II, the dethroned kaiser of Germany, in the last years of his life. Historical novels and films inspired by them have no formal obligation to strictly observe the historical truth, especially since truth itself is often foggy or relative. In the case of this film, whose action takes place in 1940, the second year of World War II and the year in which Nazi Germany invaded the Netherlands where Wilhelm II had taken refuge for over two decades, the relation with the historical truth has its importance. This film that combines an intrigue of war and espionage, a romantic-erotic story and a historical docu-drama rehabilitates – intentionally or not – a historical figure who had a huge responsibility in the outbreak of World War I and persisted in ultra-conservative conceptions, revanchism and anti-Semitism until the end of his life. Cinematic it’s not a masterpiece but a rather catchy movie, well filmed and played, enjoyable to watch. It’s historical approach, however, I think, would be worthwhile to be accompanied by a disclaimer.
The main hero is a German officer who is entrusted with the task of guarding (in fact also supervising) the exiled Kaiser, after the invasion of the Netherlands by the German armies. The old man lives a comfortable life in a castle, together with his wife and a small group of servants, plus an aide-de-camp officer who informs him about the course of the war and political developments in Europe. Disconnected from reality and ignoring the suffering the people had gone through after the disaster for which he was responsible, a return to Nazi Germany and even a return to the throne are possible in his mind. His fantasies are encouraged by a surprise visit from Heinrich Himmler. Wilhelm II’s eccentric personality is targeted and monitored not only by the Nazis but also by English intelligence agents. The most memorable scene in the film depicts a dinner in which the former emperor discusses politics with the Nazi leader. Himmler shocks his interlocutors with the cynicism with which he describes the ‘ineffectiveness’ of the methods of exterminating those considered ‘inferior’, but the Kaiser does not seem to realize that the source of the Nazi regime’s criminal violence lies precisely in his own imperialist ambitions and openly expressed contempt for Jews and other ‘enemies’ of Germany.
Some of the actors’ performances are remarkable. I was not a fan of Christopher Plummer in his heyday, but he was one of those actors whose prestige and charisma grew and improved over time. In this role, one of his last on the big screens, he is gorgeous. I could only reproach him for humanizing the emperor’s character too much, giving him a nobility that the real historical character probably lacked. The character who gives the title to the film, the German officer who is the ‘exception’ in relation to those around him, in whose soul awakens the conscience that separates evil from good, is played by Jai Courtney, an actor who in my opinion fails to enter the depth of the character of the one he interprets. The romantic relationship with the Dutch housemaid, who turns out to be much more than just a housemaid, is credible only on an erotic level, despite the efforts of the beautiful and talented actress Lily James, because of too many contradictory biographical details. Instead, I enjoyed the appearance of Eddie Marsan, the actor who creates an unforgettable Himmler, who combines sarcasm with repulsion, a corrupt, demented, rational in crime character, ridiculous and terrifying at the same time. The cinematography by Roman Osin manages to locate the story in context, to authentically reproduce the historical period and to place the characters in it. ‘The Exception‘ combines a romantic and an espionage story set during World War II, giving plenty of reasons to watch, it is a film inspired by history and its characters even if it is not exactly true to them.