Glorious 39 (2009)

I have a Bachelor of Science in film, but more than that I love good movies. This however is not one of them. Absolutely awful, and in so many ways. Why any of the actors featured in this film would participate in such a badly written piece of absurdity is beyond me. It is not worth your time. Period. Based on the trailer, I expected a film that dealt in a realistic way with the evolving conflicts that might impact a British aristocratic family during this period of history. Instead what I saw was a film dealing in Fellini type absurdities and characters who behaved like zombies in one surreal scenario after another. It is unrealistic, difficult to follow and boring. Save your time, and watch another film. Any other film.

Glorious 39 is an engaging atmospheric conspiracy thriller. The story unfolds in a very involving manner keeping the suspense intact until the very last frame. Tension is really well maintained through out the movie, as soon as the story kicks and the paranoia sets in it just increases and deepens with each frame until the final credit rolls.As the lead Romola Garai gives this gripping piece of work its intensity. She never hits a false note and is the key reason because of which the paranoia and tension are so incredibly palpable.Glorious 39 is period piece and a engaging conspiracy thriller, that is narrated in a old-school manner of film-making were the script complements the visuals and the performances lends in to make the narration even more engaging.

I enjoyed this movie because it took a turn I wasn't expecting when the family started acting strangely. I didn't start to think about the plot holes till it was over--I kept thinking it would all come clear. But I gotta admit it didn't make sense. (1) Anne was adopted. Then we learn she was a gypsy. The English have always been so class conscious that an upper class person hardly speaks to anyone except those in their circle, so I find it impossible to believe they would take a Roma child into their family as a full member. (2) Before the war started, England was divided on their opinion of going to war. This is easily documented in any history book about WW 11. Some people wanted the war, some people didn't, some were sympathetic to Hitler (The Duke and Duchess of Windsor), and some just wanted him to go away. (3) At that time, (like now) the opinions of young women were regarded lightly. What they had to say did not account for much. Especially in politics, they were ignored. In view of (1) (2)and (3), please someone tell me why the Keyes family went to so much trouble, murder, lies, deception, cruelty to animals, and darn near killing Anne, just because she might hold a different opinion on the war. When her father was explaining it all to her, all he could come up with was she was a Roma (gypsy) and didn't fall in with the families' opinion of the war. It's pretty darn strange and puzzling to me. What did I miss? She wasn't political at all till they started their odd behavior.

I happen to be a big fan of British period dramas. Of course, when they are done well. Alas, this is a dreadful mess of a movie. Almost nothing makes any sense whatsoever. To begin with the obvious, what in the world possessed the director to film with the drunken, skewed camera lenses. After ten minutes of watching, one feels noxious. Then the characters, randomly walking around, tattling some nonsensical lines, and not a one of them looks real. Next, for example, complete lack of suspense or logic. Pro-Nazi supporters among the British upper classes are a well known fact, but that part of history deserves serious handling. This Gothic, under-thought dribble is a huge disappointment.