The film is set in the year 2000 following not only Helga and Traudi's journeys but the next two generations and how Beth, Helga's daughter and Emily her granddaughter are confronted with the long-term effects of Traudi's leaving. When Helga receives a letter telling her that Traudi is close to death, it is Emily with whom Helga shares the truth. Emily volunteers to accompany her to Vienna to meet the great-grandmother she thought was dead, and experience the unraveling of the darkest of family secrets.
Reviews
Acting and storyline were fascinating but gee,daughter missing out on mummy's love. Boo hoo. Girls, give old grandma a break. Wartime makes people do all sorts. Sure the old girl did'nt regret it, what was she supposed to do, jump in front of a speeding train? She was a bit of a nut case, I would have just left her there to rot. I thought she seemed a bit too sprightly for her supposed age. Why would the home allow her to keep the Nazi uniform in her room? Who paid for her care there? And If I was Helga and footed the bills, before I left I would have complained about it big time. I don't understand why she went to visit her for in the first place. I would have paid cousin Eva to take care of things for me. Slow and tedious saga, could not wait for it to end.
This is one of the most appropriately named films I have been to, though "Let me out" would have been better. The underlying story and ambition of the film cannot be faulted, nor can the acting. The script and characterization is however really poor. The tension in the film is not from the film itself but the embarrassed anticipation of which great actor will say something completely unbelievable next. I cringed at almost every scene. Of particular weakness was the character of the granddaughter (Lucy Boynton), who is given the role of blonde dippy air head that had a man written it would have rightly caused outrage at the stereotypical sexism of the role. I couldn't wait for the end, which arroved blissfully unexpectedly in the absence of any punchline
Made you think a lot about how individual and family fortunes are forever impacted by involvement in major world events, when everyone else has moved on or forgotten. Very atmospheric locations and music. Left slightly curious about the role of other (male) family members who didn't feature - but maybe not that important to the main drama.
Powerful as it's based on a true story. Great casting of the main characters. Although the film is about how a family comes to terms with issues of the past, it has many parallels to what's going on around us in the world today. Fantastic soundtrack and camera work. I'd thoroughly recommend seeing this film.