During World War II, in the occupation by France from Germany; some women collaborated with Nazis as their secretaries, clerks, maids and girlfriends. An act known as Collaboration horizontale, women were punished after the war for their assistance of German forces. Most were stripped to their underwear, paraded through town and publicly had their heads shaved. The shaved outcasts were continuously shunned, ridiculed and often assaulted for their collaboration with German forces.
Such is the story of Marie DuJardin (Nina Bergman), the French girlfriend of German Colonel von Bruckner (Daniel Burnhardt). Years she was captured, imprisoned and rescued by American infantrymen; Marie, as a condition of her rescue, leads the American soldiers to the location of secret, stolen German gold buried in a rural cemetery. They’re ambusher by members of the French resistance but a bigger threat looms on the horizon. German soldiers are retreating through the area and will be approaching the cemetery soon.
Hell Hath No Fury (like a woman scorned) is the old adage but, I struggle to understand how it applies to this film. The trailers and press kit suggest that Marie is this oppressed damsel in distress that takes her fate into her own hands. Some badass that singlehandedly turns the tide of the war, securing the win for Allied forces. That’s not the story at all. Marie ping pongs between life threatening situations throughout the movie. In a grand twist of irony, Marie scolds her American captor, admonishing him for wanting to take the gold for selfish reasons. Let’s not forget that her boyfriend was a German officer. There’s no moral high ground for anyone involved.
In this triangle of corruption and deceit, it’s hard to remain interested in a story with no real winners. Sure, I have to acknowledge for Nina Bergman for doing a great job of carrying the story from beginning to end. Bergman gave Nina a tepid wittiness that, throughout the film had me guessing that there was more to her than she seems. My hunch was correct but the payoff was less than satisfying. Also, the story doesn’t do her any favors being a treasure hunt, wrapped in a messy love story. There’s a story to be told here about the horrors of Nazi occupation but, unfortunately Hell Hath no Fury doesn’t deliver on what the title suggests.
Overall: C-
Rated R @ 94 minutes
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Reporter / Film Critic
I have always loved stories. Whether it’s in books or movies, I’m a sucker for a compelling story. Compared to watching television, seeing movies in a theater has always been a visceral experience. There’s just something about having the full IMAX experience or sharing an unspoken moment of anguish, joy and laughter with complete strangers. Movies have always had a special place in my heart and that’s what brings me back to the theater. As the amount of prequels, sequels and spinoffs increase, I’ve increased my efforts to see more different, and compelling stories. I hope the reviews that follow reflect my efforts to take my moviegoing off the beaten path.
When I’m not in your local theater, I’m probably at a baseball game or wrestling event. Do drop me a line on the Twitter Machine @GiantKrabb