The Aftermath Blu-ray Review

THE MOVIE — 3.0/5

Plot Synopsis: Set in 1946, this drama follows Rachael Morgan (KEIRA KNIGHTLEY), a British woman whose colonel husband Lewis (JASON CLARKE) is charged with rebuilding war-ravaged Hamburg. When she joins him there during the bitter winter months, she learns they will be sharing their home with a German widower (ALEXANER SKARSGARD) and his troubled daughter (FLORA LI THIEMANN). Before long, the unusual arrangement intensifies political divides and stirs deep personal wounds.

Review: Movies about or set around World War II have always fascinated me as I’ve talked about in previous reviews. Films about the post-WWII turmoil haven’t crossed my path very often so just reading the synopsis for The Aftermath did pique my interest. Of course, the movie’s primary focus is on a love triangle between a husband, wife and a German father whose home they occupy following the British “victory” (for the lack of a better word).

You do get a glimpse at the turmoil and horrible conditions the citizens of Hamburg endure and that’s where the film does falter a bit: it’s a tussle between a war-drama with the romantic angle at home, and neither really connects very well, including what is supposed to be a sort of suspense-filled scene towards the end that had been quietly building up to, involving the daughter and her falling into a young group of Hitler loyalists, the leader whom, targets Lewis.

On the positive side, the performances from all involved was wonderful, though Keira Knightley had one great, punch-to-the-gut, scene which was certainly heartbreaking, same from Jason Clarke, an actor I like but has yet delivered anything approaching incredible, though here he does have a couple solid scenes, including one toward the end coming to terms with a tragic event from the past. Not to be outdone, Alexander Skarsgård has many great scenes especially opposite Knightley from uneasy beginnings (to say the least) to red-hot passions re-ignited in one another. Nothing wrong with any of their chemistries and probably the *only* reason I found any sort of investment in the film.

Directed by James Kent, The Aftermath is certainly a good looking movie, set opposite the grim post-World War II setting, thanks to the cinematography from Franz Lustig, who does have a limited resume, but hope to see more from them both. That being said, the shortcoming of the film comes from the screenplay written by Joe Shrapnel, Anna Waterhouse and Rhidian Brook based on the novel by Brook. As with most book to film adaptations, often times something is lost in the translation and wondering perhaps this kind of story worked in the novel.

SPECIAL FEATURES – 3.5/5

This release comes with a semi-glossy slip cover. Inside is a redemption code for the Digital HD copy. The disc is fairly well loaded with features including an engaging and informative Audio Commentary with Director James Kent, a set of Deleted Scenes (5:56) with an optional commentary with Kent, a VFX Progressions (1:54) showing the stages of effects on a few scenes, a basic First Look (12:09) production featurette, a Gallery (2:33) with BTS images and lastly the Theatrical Trailer (2:25).

VIDEO – 4.5/5

AUDIO – 4.25/5

OVERALL – 3.25/5

The Aftermath is by no means great but the performances from Keira Knightley, Alexander Skarsgård and Jason Clarke does make this well worth a rental if not also exploring, even slightly, an aspect that kind of gets lost.  The Blu-ray release from Fox offers good video/audio transfers and a good selection of bonus material.