The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

Rating: 7/10 (29 April 2018)

It is not often that a beloved novel can be adapted so originally and yet so faithfully. A unique and rather wonderful experience.
Juliet Ashton (Lily James) struggles under the trauma and horror of Post-World-War-Two London until a letter puts her into contact with Dawsey Adams (Michiel Huisman;) a member of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Soon enough, she finds herself visiting the island and hearing the stories of comfort, love, horror and pure resilience from Guernsey's eccentric inhabitants.
Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows' novel, on which this is based, brought to life one of many untold stories from the War. That story being the NAZI occupation of the English Isles. Writing in the form of letters, it is easy to see how the novel became a personal exploration of the power of storytelling. Indeed, the literary society is a group of friends using reading and friendship as a means of escaping their war-torn situation. Newell is very aware of these powerful themes and works wonders to bring them to the screen.
Much of the film is made up of Guernsey's characters recounting their stories to Juliet, accommodated by flashbacks. There is no minimum of truth poured into these tales to make them relevant and rather confronting. What ties them all together is the resilience of their friendship through these harsh times and what this raw bravery truly accomplished.
Beside these recollections is an old-fashioned love and hope story. Juliet is quick to fall for the island of Guernsey and the friends she finds there. At a time when the people of Guernsey needed new love and support, she provides it with flair. In many ways, this is a story of finding hope out of trauma and love when you have nothing else left.
Even the cinematography of the film resembles these morals. London is grey on the outside and artificially coloured in any delights in presents. Guernsey on the other hand, is presented with rolling mountains and mighty waves crashing against the shore. A breath of fresh air for Juliet and an opportunity for a new beginning for her as much as the society.
Lily James balances realism, horror and hope in her performance as Juliet and her relationships with fellow actors are a credit to her talents. So many actors give wonderous performances that it would be impossible to name them all yet Jessica Brown Findlay needs acknowledging as Elizabeth. Her character serves as an arc of hope during the actual Occupation and she delivers marvellously.
Perhaps the most original aspect of the film comes during the credits. Playing an audio-recording of a meeting of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society brings the film back to its core roots and ties up the rest of the film to a nice conclusion.
Wise, witty, confronting and yet full of heart, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is a real and wonderful story. The only warning that must be advised to viewers: apparently potato peel pie is not as delightful as the film. Avoid consumption!