Immediately after World War II the scars of German occupation ran deep across many European lands. One such place was the island of Guernsey, sitting in the English Channel just off the coast of Normandy. During the occupation many residents were taken and shipped to Nazi labor camps never to return while their families tried to survive under oppressive German rule. Guernsey was liberated in 1945 but the scars remained.
That troubling bit of history serves as a backdrop for the Netflix Original film “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society”. Based on the 2008 novel of the same name, the story follows a London-based writer who becomes infatuated with a small book club from Guernsey. She’s drawn to the island in hopes of learning more about the five club members and their tangled history during the German occupation.
PHOTO: Netflix
Set in 1946, a delightful Lily James stars as Juliet. With a couple of novels under her belt, Juliet’s writing career has taken off which pleases her encouraging publisher Sidney (Matthew Goode). She has signed on to write stories for the London Times and she has a wealthy American boyfriend (Glen Powell) who is quite keen on marrying her. Things couldn’t be better.
One day she receives a letter from a man named Dawsey (Michiel Huisman) from Guernsey. He had come across a book that once belonged to her and had shared it with his book club (you guessed it – The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society). His hopes are Juliet could steer him towards another book by the same author. She sends him a copy as a gift and writes back inquiring about the Society. And so their correspondence begins.
As Juliet learns more about the Society through Dawsey’s letters she is inspired to write about them. She travels to Guernsey to meet the small group she has become so enamored with. As she digs deeper into their backstory she uncovers some old but still painful wounds traced back to the German occupation. Some of the Society are willing to help her, most notably Dawsey (enter the romantic angle). Others want no part of the memories her questions bring back.
PHOTO: Netflix
Director Mike Newell uses his camera to great effect, capturing beautiful vistas but also the swirling emotions of his characters. A really good cast fleshes out the unique personalities Juliet encounters within the Society, specifically Tom Courtenay, Penelope Wilton, and Katherine Parkinson. Each are given plenty of time to reveal more about their characters as Juliet’s investigation unfolds.
“Guernsey” could be called too simple and it hits a point where it becomes obvious how things will play out. Yet it’s still a warm and well-crafted story with a charming, old-fashioned flavor to it. Lily James sparkles in the lead role and a strong supporting cast breathes personality and emotion. I found it to be a nice, unexpected surprise and another good pickup for Netflix.
VERDICT – 4 STARS
Have you ever liked a film but hated the title?
Ha! Yes indeed! This is certainly a candidate! 😂
Aw, I’ve seen this a while back, and had forgotten it until now. I enjoyed it at the time, some class Brits acting in it 🙂
I really liked it. Wrote this last year and with my current ‘no power’ predicament it seemed like a good time to post finally post it! 😂
Check out my last movie post, there’s one there you haven’t reviewed and it’s on Netflix, think you might like it. Braven.
Oh cool, will do. Is that the Jason Momoa flick?
Yes, he co-produced it too, did a good job I think.
Awesome. I’ll be sure to give it a look! 👍🏼
Hey Keith, great review. I really enjoyed this film as it was a very moving romantic drama. I liked how, while you kind of knew which way it was going in terms of the romance, it actually felt quite organic with good chemistry between the lead actors.
Well said. The performances mixed with how the characters are written made a huge difference. And what can I say, Lily James’ charm is infectious.
Ooff, have to disagree with you here mate. I thought it was just okay, but nowhere near such a high rating.I felt the cast were underused even thought Lily James is freakin’ gorgeous. I guess the story just didn’t work for me as well as you, and some of the creative choices in tone felt too uneven – is this a war film, a drama film, or something else? – but I do agree with the beautiful vistas. The cinematography is great. The story didn’t move the needle for me.
Aw bummer. We definitely agree on James though. She’s a delight in everything she’s in.
This keeps popping out on my Netflix, I even added it on my watchlist, but I keep avoiding it. Maybe your positive review will give me the needed push to finally watch it.
You should give it a look. I watched it with the family and we all fell for it. And despite its flaws, it’s a really nice movie to sit down with especially in the trying times we are currently in.
Sounds interesting – in part because two of my great-great-great-grandfathers were from the Channel Islands (from Guernsey’s neighbour Jersey), and I had cousins there who were shipped to Nazi camps.
Really. Wow. That’s definitely meaningful family connections. Let me know what you think if you get a chance to see this one.
I will.
(Plus, I like Lily James.)
Ha! Me too!
My favourite roles of hers are Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again and Cinderella.
I really liked her in Yesterday, a movie I didn’t expect to like. But she elevates it so much.