The Exception is a movie that can be a bit difficult to watch. That wouldn’t have been the case a year ago but given the current political climate in which we live with every gone to shit and the Nazis making a comeback it feels a little strange.
Based on a 2003 novel from Alan Judd, The Exception is a fictional version of the final days in the life of Kaiser Wilhelm II (Christopher Plummer), the last of the German monarch. Captain Stefan Brandt (Jai Courtney) is ordered to live with Kaiser in his home in the Netherlands and serve as his personal bodyguard. While there, Brandt discovers there could be a Dutch spy living and working with Kaiser’s home and he’s determined to sniff the out. This is just as the world is on the brink of World War II, making it all the more important to snuff out any possible spies. Brandt ends up falling in love with a young Dutch doctor (Lily James). There are already complications with a German soldier sleeping with the Dutch help, but it turns out that the doctor is the spy and things really get out of hand.
As the story unfolds a lot more beyond the identity of the spy is revealed. For example why is Brandt really there? Is he protecting Kaiser or watching him? Kaiser was very respected and powerful but that was under the old regime. With Hitler now in control of Nazi Germany, where exactly does Kaiser fit in? The deeper Brandt digs the more he finds out things may not be as they seem.
Brandt is such a fascinating character and Courtney delivers a knockout performance. He has a ton of national pride which is ok but in many ways it blinds him from reality. When people tell him of the atrocities that Nazis commit he refuses to believe. In his eyes the bad Nazis are the exception. He thinks the Nazis are the good guys.
As Brandt begins to unravel the Nazis ultimate plan with regards to Kaiser he starts to realize that maybe he’s playing for the wrong side. Now Brandt must decide — does he continue to fight for his country or does he start to fight for what’a right?
Plummer is equally good as Kaiser. On the surface Kaiser just seems old and out of touch, borderline senile. But it’s all an act on Kaiser’s part. He is fully aware of what is happening with him. He knows there is no place for him in Nazi Germany but he’s not going down without a fight.
The Exception is now out on Blu-ray and comes with a couple of bonus features. There is an audio commentary with director David Leveaux and some behind-the-scenes footage. The behind-the-scenes footage is worth a watch just to hear the other cast members gush about Plummer.
The Exception is a wonderful fictional tale based on real-life characters that had a major impact on the world’s history. The performances are top of the line and the story is engaging. It’s a bit weird having a hero that is a Nazi — a Nazi that has a change of heart but still a Nazi — but once you get around that it’s very good and worth a watch.
The Exception is now available on Blu-ray from Lionsgate.
