Come What May

Inexplicably denounced by American critics, the French WWII drama Come What May serves up a riveting story based on the experiences of French citizens trying to stay ahead of a German invasion of their country in 1940. Co-written and directed by Christian Carion, the film largely concerns the exodus of villagers from a pastoral farming community, intertwining the challenges and fates of several characters, beginning with a German resistance fighter, Hans (August Diehl), who is living incognito with his young son, Max (Joshio Marlon), in a northern French village called Pas-de-Calais. Discovered and arrested by French authorities, Hans becomes separated from Max, who then comes under the care of the mayor's smart, courageous right-hand woman (Alice Isaaz). Freed from prison during a German bomber attack, Hans warily joins forces with a Scottish soldier (Matthew Rhys) and together the pair make their way back to Pas-de-Calais only to find that the level-headed mayor (Olivier Gourmet) has left with the entire population, including Max, on a long journey away from the German advance. In many ways this film is a vintage war movie in the vein of Grand Illusion or The Great Escape—a tale of personal decency, transcending of differences, and sacrifice and courage. Highly recommended. (T. Keogh)