Review: The Exception
It's not too difficult to see why the venerable Christopher Plummer was drawn to Alan Judd's fictionalised historical novel, The Kaiser's Last Kiss, specifically to the role of the exiled Kaiser Wilhelm II, whom he plays with a passion and gusto that would put actors more than half his age to shame. In fact, had Judd written the role during Plummer's heyday, the actor could have been a perfect embodiment of the novel's other male protagonist, Stefan Brandt, the German captain sent by the Reich to babysit the royal retiree.
As it stands, Australian Jai Courtney takes on the role of Brandt, a battle-scarred and weary officer tormented by memories of a young girl he failed to save. Brandt isn't particularly enthused about his latest mission but, with the Reich threatening to take his life if the Kaiser's life is endangered, he has no choice but to carry out his duties, chief amongst them to assess the Kaiser's loyalty or lack thereof. Increasing his enthusiasm is the presence of a new household chambermaid named Mieke (Lily James), whom he orders to disrobe within hours of arriving at the Kaiser's secluded mansion in the Netherlands. Despite being told by the Kaiser's right hand man, Colonel Sigrud von Ilsemann (Ben Daniels) to keep his hands off the female staff, Brandt carries out a torrid affair with Mieke.
Theirs turns out to be a very dangerous liaison. Mieke's admission that she is Jewish gives lovestruck Brandt the briefest of pauses; the reveal that she is a spy for the Dutch Resistance might prove a more complex obstacle to overcome. Meanwhile, the Kaiser, feeling shunted to the side by the Reich, is proving equally problematic with his not-so-subtle dislike of Hitler. His wife, Princess Hermine (Janet McTeer), still holding on to the hope that they can return to Berlin to help rule the Fatherland, is constantly having to do damage control, spinning her husband's remarks into something more complimentary rather than insulting.
With all the secrets, lies, and inevitable betrayals, there's a great deal bubbling beneath the film's Merchant Ivory trappings. Yet it never really fully comes to life unless it involves Plummer's Kaiser who, having had his share of peccadilloes in his past, becomes a fairy godfather of sorts for the illicit lovers. Plummer is such an unalloyed delight that he elevates everything and everyone around him. McTeer is arguably his sole equal, and one wishes the film had revolved more around them than the young lovers. Not that Courtney and James don't deliver fine performances. James, especially, proves herself very capable of more than Cinderella-type ingenue roles. Courtney also does well expressing the conflict within Brandt, though one can't help but feel that someone like Michael Fassbender or even Chris Hemsworth would have done something far more intriguing with the role.
The Exception
Directed by: David Leveaux
Written by: Simon Burke; based on the novel The Kaiser's Last Kiss by Alan Judd
Starring: Christopher Plummer, Lily James, Jai Courtney, Janet McTeer, Loïs van Wijk, Karin Leclerq, Anton Lesser, Ben Daniels, Eddie Marsan
