Compelling and heartrending

Rating: 8/10 (29 October 2013)

I found this movie utterly compelling. We stumbled across it when channel flicking and were immediately hooked.
At the heart of the movie is a moral dilemma faced by a law student, an impossible choice over a small intervention that could have major consequences on the life of the woman he loves. It's rather contrived, but the superb performances of Kate Winslet and Bruno Ganz make it completely believable. Ralph Fiennes is OK as the older Michael but this is Ganz and Winslet's movie really.
Even as the denouement approaches, the plot rightly allows no room for easy resolution or absolution of the moral issues. It's heart- rending viewing but excellent.