Suite Française

Play trailer

Suite Française

2014

1h 47m

History

Drama

Romance

War

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

75%

Tomatometer

44 Reviews

69%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

Her husband away at war, a lonely Frenchwoman (Michelle Williams) begins a tentative romance with the refined German soldier (Matthias Schoenaerts) who has taken up residence in her mother-in-law's house.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

Suite Française takes an understated approach to its period romance, which -- along with strong performances from a talented cast -- pays absorbing dividends.

Read Critics Reviews

Geoff Pevere

Globe and Mail

A sturdy enough but ultimately overpolite entry into the classic wartime women's melodrama, in which war's impact on the lonely heart is nearly as devastating as the havoc wreaked on limb and landscape.

Rated: 2.5/4

Jul 3, 2015

Full Review

Liz Braun

Toronto Sun

What could be all-too-familiar here is mostly fresh and engaging, thanks to understated storytelling and a great cast.

Rated: 3.5/5

Jul 2, 2015

Full Review

Bruce DeMara

Toronto Star

As doomed wartime romances go, the film doesn't offer anything particularly original. But with palpable tension and poignancy, Suite Francaise is fine filmmaking well worth watching.

Rated: 3/4

Jul 2, 2015

Full Review

Bertie Archer

One Room With A View

Not a classic, though a welcome addition to the genre.

Rated: 3/5

May 14, 2019

Full Review

Lucy Popescu

CineVue

Eduard Grau's cinematography, terrific performances all round, in particular the simmering chemistry between Schoenaerts and Williams, should ensure Suite Française's success as well as adding to Némirovsky's fan base.

Rated: 4/5

Apr 4, 2019

Full Review

Rosalynn Try-Hane

Battle Royale With Cheese

A note perfect glimpse of life in occupied France during the Second World War: the horrors, desperation and love that grows from a shared passion of music.

Aug 22, 2018

Full Review

Read all reviews

Suzana T

Lieutenant Bruno being a composer before becoming a soldier doesn't change the ethical dilemma and his artistic talent does not absolve him of his involvement in a brutal regime. Nonetheless, I loved the romantic side of the movie. We are human and flawed. The forbidden romance makes the movie intriguing and sexy.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/23/25

Full Review

Erie C

I live for movies like this! And this is brilliant, poignant , perfectly directed, and profoundly well acted. Of course, it is sat in the most dramatic period of history… World War II, but it succeeds in deserving its place among great films from that period .. Top recommendation!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/24/24

Full Review

Harry N

I thoroughly enjoy the movie on several level. The comings and goings of the German occupation of Bussy were far more realiistic than most movies of the genre. The acting was superb. And the relationships gripping. If you haven't seen this movie yet, don't let the numbers in the rating turn you away. I thinkt hat too many just wanted more guts and blood. That's not the. It's a romance, in many ways wrapped around a bit of history and a touch of man's inhumanity to man.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/18/24

Full Review

Herbert F

Interesting story. Well acted and photographed. Available on Kanopy.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/10/24

Full Review

jelisije j

A nice stereotypical love war story.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Loved the haunting nature of this film. There was just enough character development to create a connection but not so much that it was drudgery. Many actors struggle to find sweet spot with subtle acting that still allows for deep emotional undertones, and I am happy to say this was not an issue in this film. I found it captivating while yes, at times, hard to watch due to the obvious war theme. The reality of the dark historical backdrop was critical to allowing a natural contrast to present with sweet yet doomed romance. And was it really doomed given the ending? It depends on our definition of what this love's success was. This stuck with me for days after watching.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/07/22

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Saul Dibb

Director

Michelle Williams

Lucile Angellier

Matthias Schoenaerts

Bruno von Falk

Kristin Scott Thomas

Madame Angellier

Sam Riley

Benoit

Ruth Wilson

Madeleine

The Ottoman Lieutenant

20%

51%

The Ottoman Lieutenant

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Ottoman Lieutenant

The Exception

75%

67%

The Exception

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Exception

Madame Bovary

43%

27%

Madame Bovary

Watchlist

Bitter Harvest

15%

67%

Bitter Harvest

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Bitter Harvest

Padmaavat

53%

65%

Padmaavat

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

50 Movies & TV Shows to Netflix and Chill with This Valentine’s Day

View more photos

Synopsis

Her husband away at war, a lonely Frenchwoman (Michelle Williams) begins a tentative romance with the refined German soldier (Matthias Schoenaerts) who has taken up residence in her mother-in-law's house.

Director: Saul Dibb
Producer: Xavier Marchand, Romain Bremond, Michael Kuhn, Andrea Cornwell
Screenwriter: Matt Charman, Saul Dibb
Production Co: Qwerty Films, Scope Pictures, Alliance
Genre: History, Drama, Romance, War
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 6, 2017
Runtime: 1h 47m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital

Most Popular at Home Now