Frantz

Name: Frantz
Genre: Drama, History, War
Released: March 15, 2017
Duration: 113 min
Rating: 73

2017

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 28 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 32 Ratings

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7.7

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7.7	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 32 Ratings

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Frantz (US)

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Movie Details & Credits

Music Box Films | Release Date: March 15, 2017 | PG-13

Summary: Set in Germany and France in the immediate aftermath of the First World War, (1914-1918), Frantz recalls the mourning period that follows great national tragedies as seen through the eyes of the war’s “lost generation”: Anna (Paula Beer), a bereft young German woman whose fiancé, Frantz, was killed during trench warfare, and Adrien (PierreSet in Germany and France in the immediate aftermath of the First World War, (1914-1918), Frantz recalls the mourning period that follows great national tragedies as seen through the eyes of the war’s “lost generation”: Anna (Paula Beer), a bereft young German woman whose fiancé, Frantz, was killed during trench warfare, and Adrien (Pierre Niney), a French veteran of the war who shows up mysteriously in her town, placing flowers on Frantz’s grave. Adrien's presence is met with resistance by the small community still reeling from Germany’s defeat, yet Anna gradually gets closer to the handsome and melancholy young man, as she learns of his deep friendship with Frantz, conjured up in evocative flashbacks. [Music Box Films]… Expand

Director: François Ozon

Genre(s): Drama, History, War

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 113 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Mick LaSalle

Mar 23, 2017

This new film is exceptional and one of Ozon’s best. Read full review

Boyd van Hoeij

Sep 16, 2016

The way in which Ozon again uses mirror images, which reveal the similarities between the French and the Germans just after the war, or the way Fanny and Anna come to possibly mirror each other again suggest that a master storyteller is at work. Read full review

Michael O'Sullivan

Apr 6, 2017

Frantz contains revelations unrelated to the manner in which it protects, and then peels away, its central mystery. Ultimately, it addresses the question: Why go on living when life itself betrays us? Read full review

Kate Taylor

Apr 6, 2017

A fine bilingual cast, haunting period detail and a provocative approach to a twisting story carry the day. Read full review

Joe Morgenstern

Mar 23, 2017

For a film that moves at a deliberate pace, Frantz grows remarkably involving; Mr. Ozon is a formidable storyteller, as he has previously demonstrated in such films as “Under the Sand” and “Swimming Pool.” Read full review

The Film Stage Zhuo-Ning Su

Sep 16, 2016

It’s a heady hall of mirrors that keeps revealing, or at least suggesting new depths and angles. But while this kind of intense creative exercise no doubt deserves respect, ultimately one has the uneasy sense that things don’t really add up. Read full review

John Bleasdale

Sep 16, 2016

Ozon's Frantz is, sadly, an underwhelming tale of a European union that didn't quite make it, its chocolate box sheen belying the emptiness at its heart. Read full review

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User Reviews

GinaK

Apr 3, 2017

Frantz is a highly romantic, mesmerizing film that is beautifully acted and sensitively directed from start to finish. Unlike the 1932 film it is based on (Broken Lullaby by Ernst Lubitsch), Ozon’s film is flawless in its pacing, gorgeous to look at, and agonizing as you wonder how it willFrantz is a highly romantic, mesmerizing film that is beautifully acted and sensitively directed from start to finish. Unlike the 1932 film it is based on (Broken Lullaby by Ernst Lubitsch), Ozon’s film is flawless in its pacing, gorgeous to look at, and agonizing as you wonder how it will all end for the characters you have come to care about so deeply. Although it’s hard to believe that Ozon could make a film as moving as Under the Sand or as sly as The Swimming Pool, he has.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

whostosay

Nov 8, 2017

An amazing movie on so many levels that is sure to stay with me for several days The photography, the acting, the intriguing storyline, the totally unexpected turns - all contribute to a most remarkable movie.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

fredericwood

Jul 10, 2018

A rich, unusual film that hits me like a train. Tour de force direction from François Ozon and magnificent performance from 2 leads. Gorgeous cinematography. Full of illumination of humanity and complexity. A film that won't be forgotten.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

LeZee

Jun 15, 2017

What is the most painful, the war or the lies?

This is pleasantly a surprise film. I would say it is this year's the Oscar winning film 'Ida'. Frankly, there's nothing to compare between two. Not just both of them are modern black and white film, but they are quite similar in the portrayalWhat is the most painful, the war or the lies?

This is pleasantly a surprise film. I would say it is this year's the Oscar winning film 'Ida'. Frankly, there's nothing to compare between two. Not just both of them are modern black and white film, but they are quite similar in the portrayal of lead female characters. Just like 'Marie's Story', it was also inspired by another Hollywood film, 'Broken Lullaby'. I haven't seen that. Even not many people have seen it. One of the less known classic drama which I am going to give a try now. Coming back to the film, it was about the World War I that centres on a young woman who lost her fiancé.

Nearly two hours drama, quite slowly narrated, but I never felt drag in storytelling or boring to follow it. From the director of 'In the House', yet another masterpiece. Yeah, it looked like that way for me. Only a very few characters and they all developed so well, almost till the end when a few more joined them. The title role was appeared for like only 4-5 minutes in the entire film. Well, that was the topic, a reason for this story to begin along with the WWI. Though the following storyline was built on a different platform.

Like there is a saying 'to hide one lie, a thousand lies are needed', that's what this film was actually about. Living and keep on evolving in the endless process. It is a moral, a message film, but the mistake was committed by someone else that another person has to take the fall for it, even after he goes out of the picture. Really a touching story, but not a tearjerker. The journey of life is sometimes unexpected, particularly when it comes to romance that blooms when one needed it last at the circumstance he's at his life.

❝What would the truth bring? More pain, more tears.❞

This is not a war film, just in case if you are expecting one. It was a subject under everything happen. So, there's only less than 5 minute clips of them in the film. Basically, those clips too were not required, but it's always nice to see them in pictures when a flashback come into play. It is a pure drama that sets in just after the end of the WWI. A young German woman is mourning for the death of her fiancé. She discovers a young French man who claims his close friend came to condole his demise. He meets the rest of the family and shares those happy days he spent with him in Paris before the war. During his stay, they all get along quite well, despite the people from society are against it/him.

That was the first half of the film, developed slowly and steadily, but ended with a twist. The following half began on the new direction with lots of mysteries surrounding. Completely unpredictable, yet as a viewer, I had hundred of different thoughts about the upcoming developments. I was somewhat right on most of the occasion, but I was even happier about how it all went on its own style. Now the story entered the France. More twist and turns unfolded. The pace of the story looked the same, though lots of developments made it look advanced very fast.

The World War II is the most dominated theme in the war films. When you see a film on WWI, you will come to realise its perspective, if the film was made with the right dose of everything, even if it was not based on the real event or the person. Fighting the war, carrying the wound, grieving for the lost ones, struggling to rebuild the life and the nation. This is definitely one of the best WWI related, I mean about the aftermath of the war films I've seen. The screenplay was magic. I would surely give an award for it. And then the beautiful photography. I don't know it was because of the black and white, but virtually you would be taken back to the 1919. Simple, yet a great camera angles that must be appreciated.

Wonderful cast. Without those amazing performances, this film would have been nothing. Anna is the name you would remember for very long and the actress who played it. In a couple places, the screenplay turns semi colour, particularly when musics takes the front stage. Just in case if you are yet to watch, pay attention to that, because not everybody notices that. To me it looks like an Oscar product, but the release date confirms not eligible for the next Oscars. Different people have different opinion, but I think it is a must see. Those who struggle with slow paced narration, if they manage the opening half, then they would enjoy the remaining and love the overall film. Definitely a hidden gem, it just needs more audience, that's all.

8.5/10… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

DawdlingPoet

Nov 21, 2021

This is a very thought-provoking and quite poignant watch. It's ultimately about grief (inevitable death in war) and forgiveness and so its a bit of a sad watch at times. I liked that it is partially black and white, it gives it a bit of a timeless feel to it. Its a relatively arty sort ofThis is a very thought-provoking and quite poignant watch. It's ultimately about grief (inevitable death in war) and forgiveness and so its a bit of a sad watch at times. I liked that it is partially black and white, it gives it a bit of a timeless feel to it. Its a relatively arty sort of film as well but not entirely in a pretentious way. The themes are handled sensitively, with quite likeable characters. I would recommend this film to world cinema fans, yes.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

TVJerry

Apr 12, 2017

Soon after the end WW1, a young Frenchman shows up in a small German town to mourn the loss of his wartime friend. His encounter with the slain soldier's fiancee sets the drama on a complex course. This is beautifully shot (sometimes in black and white and sometimes in color) and rich inSoon after the end WW1, a young Frenchman shows up in a small German town to mourn the loss of his wartime friend. His encounter with the slain soldier's fiancee sets the drama on a complex course. This is beautifully shot (sometimes in black and white and sometimes in color) and rich in evoking the period. François Ozon's filmmaking revels in the slow unfolding of the story and the quiet emotional struggles that develop. An attractive, interesting and well-made look into the struggles of people with conflicting post-war loyalties. (French & German with subtitles)… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

netflic

Apr 11, 2017

A Franco-German movie, it is a historical drama about "the lost generation", taking place in a small German town and some places in France immediately after The First World War. A young widow of a German soldier living with her fiance's parents (Frantz was his name) meets a young French manA Franco-German movie, it is a historical drama about "the lost generation", taking place in a small German town and some places in France immediately after The First World War. A young widow of a German soldier living with her fiance's parents (Frantz was his name) meets a young French man who came to Germany to visit Frantz's grave.

It is a story about love, vengeance and forgiveness.

Nice performances across the board. Some episodes and characters seemed overly simplistic and lacking depth. Beautiful cinematography, mostly in black-and-white, but it had a look of unnatural cleanness.

Not a masterpiece in my opinion but worth seeing.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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