Film Review – Diplomacy

“Diplomacy” takes a corner of World War II history and brings it to life onscreen. The picture marks the return of director Volker Schlondorff, the helmer of “The Tin Drum,” who’s explored the war throughout his career, but rarely has he found a tale this theatrical in design. Adapting a play by Cyril Gely (who co-scripts), Schlondorff ignores the expanse of war to manage a tale of two opposing forces softening in a Parisian hotel, keeping the showdown intimate and the mind games suspenseful. Perhaps “Diplomacy” doesn’t overwhelm with its subtleties and general low-budget take on conflict, but it does offer two tremendous performances from Andre Dussollier and Niels Arestrup and a full sense of torturous deliberation. Read the rest at Blu-ray.com