A child is brought up in a home where tenderness and affection from parents seems in short supply. But the material circumstances are favorable, and he is comfortable, and has servants and tutors who care for him and emotionally support him. Nevertheless, the kid acts up. On good days, he is a handful. On bad days, he is violent and out of control. Structurally, the film offers up three tantrums. This all takes place against the backdrop of negotiations that will lead to the infamous Treaty of Versailles, which I suppose is supposed to hint at thematic concerns. The thumping, ponderous music implies a great evil is being enacted. In the end, the boy becomes man and leads a fascist army.
The period detail is impressive, the child actor is plausible, but no question is being asked here, no premise is explored. The material suggests we should be looking at nature versus nurture, but the execution does not run with that. It is, in the end, all a bit emperor's new clothes. "You just didn't get it," some will say, but after watching the film and reading around, I still don't see what there is to get.
A very annoying wee boy grows up to be a bad man. That's it. How dull.
The period detail is impressive, the child actor is plausible, but no question is being asked here, no premise is explored. The material suggests we should be looking at nature versus nurture, but the execution does not run with that. It is, in the end, all a bit emperor's new clothes. "You just didn't get it," some will say, but after watching the film and reading around, I still don't see what there is to get.
A very annoying wee boy grows up to be a bad man. That's it. How dull.