Emma Thompson and Brendan Gleeson in ‘Alone in Berlin’

Released last month, Alone in Berlin showcased Emma Thompson and Brendan Gleeson doing their best to bring life two underwritten characters. The film proceeds very predictably, with no unexpected twists or turns. It depicts the story of a World War II tragedy with flavorless efficiency.

For the first time since 2007, Vincent Perez directs this suspense-less book-to-movie adaptation based on a true story. It follows a couple, Anna and Otto Quangel (Thompson and Gleeson) on their journey creating a micro-resistance in Nazi Germany. After they receive the news that their son has perished in the war, Otto begins to write anonymous postcards against Hitler and placing them in public places throughout Berlin.

With bad reviews left and right it is hard to spare out beloved Brendan and Emma from the backlash. While the script was lacking in depth, they tried their best, although in vain, to bring some to their characters.

Watch the trailer below:

See what the Chicago Tribune thinks here, and read the New York Times review here.