The Exception - 3 1/2 smiles

Although a little clunky in places, "The Exception" is a beautifully filmed World War II-era romantic thriller, enlivened by outstanding performances and inspired by a little-known footnote to history. Christopher Plummer is phenomenal and the main reason to see "The Exception." He turns 90 in December and he still has great acting chops."The Exception" is set in 1940 at a 19th century estate in rural Netherlands, where Germany's past imperialism collides with the new ruthlessness of the Nazi regime. Caught between this clash of values are a loyal German soldier and a Jewish woman spy who confront their beliefs and establish a cautious relationship. Director David Leveaux successfully combines a strong acting ensemble with fictional and historical figures. Christopher Plummer perfectly embodies the past as Kaiser Wilhelm II who exiled in November 1918 when the Allies and German mutineers forced his abdication to end the first World War. The octogenarian monarch can now only influence his environment by chopping wood and feeding the ducks. His ineffective military campaigns are symbolized by a closet full of formal uniforms from units of which he was only the titular head. Prone to dry monologues, he has all of the prejudices and mannerisms of his time and class. Yet Plummer's Wilhelm offers a droll kindness toward his staff, from his loyal aide de Camp Colonel Sigurd von Ilsemann (Ben Daniels) to a comely new addition, Dutch maid Mieke de Jong (Lily James), who he can tell hasn't done this kind of work before. His haughty second wife, Princess Hermine Reuss of Greig (Janet McTeer), still lives in the high society of pre-1918 and is petitioning Hitler for restoration of the monarchy, but carefully because she wants the Third Reich to keep paying their allowance while she prepares for their triumphant return to Berlin.

Into this archaic atmosphere comes hunky Captain Stefan Brandt (Jai Courtney), who didn't even know his ex-emperor was still alive. He's assigned to protect the Kaiser, but is really there to report on his household to Gestapo Inspector Dietrich (Mark Dexter), who warns him that a British spy is in the area and they are closing in on the transmitter. Brandt keeps his eyes open although he's smitten by Mieke, who confesses she's Jewish. Things become more complicated when the head of the SS, Reichsfuhrer Heinrich Himmler (Eddie Marsan) visits. Leveaux stresses the romance, adventure and character and underplays the horror, although one of Himmler's dinner conversations is appalling. "The Exception" works as a love story and adventure. If only Leveaux didn't feel he needed multiple endings.