FilmSnobReviews

Title: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
MPAA Rating: TV-14
Director: Mike Newell
Starring: Lily James, Michiel Huisman, Jessica Brown Findlay
Runtime: 2 hr 4 mins

What It Is: In post-WWII London author Juliet Ashton (James) begins a correspondence with the members of the titular society. They live, of course, on a small island in the English channel. As Juliet begins to find out what these humble residents went through during the Nazi occupation of their tiny island. All under the shadow of trying to find out what happened to a missing resident of the town who was taken by the Nazi’s.

What We Think: There’s so much to like here. It has its tropes, sure, but it delivers a charming, well-told story. One that does leave its mark on audiences. It is a love story that will make the romantic hearts in the building flutter just a bit. Historians will like how the events of World War II are discussed. Newell does a great job with the materials here. Newell is an underrated director who’s helmed some real winners, lookin’ at you Four Weddings and a Funeral. Lily James is super charming and she shines here in a role that seems perfect for her. Her Juliet is smart, driven and curious all traits that build a strong protagonist but seem evident in James herself.

Our Grade: B-, So this film is a Netflix one. That’s a feather in their cap for sure ESPECIALLY after all the crap I’ve given them regarding their recent turds. This one is a step in the correct direction. A film that I truly TRULY enjoyed sitting through. I mean it’s over two hours long and never feels like it. This film for sure gets a recommendation from me. Check it out. I mean it’s on Netflix and like everyone has Netflix.