SILVER SIREN; The Aftermath

I have just finished watching The Aftermath, which is such a romantic film!  Keira Knightley is at her snotty best and the gorgeous Alexander Skarsgard is the forbidden love interest, who grabs her disinterested, distrustful attention, against her better judgement.  She plays Rachael, the wife of an English Army officer who goes to live with a German family in the months following the end of the Second World War.  

As an occupying force, they are not meant to fraternize with the locals, but are there to help rebuild Hamburg.  This film shows what happens after the RAF have swept in, won the war and destroyed lives, leaving a trail of devastation behind them, as is their trademark.  Or perhaps that's unfair - perhaps devastation and destruction are simply the trademarks of warfare, and the RAF just happened to be there at the time.  I dare say that's their take on the destruction they cause anyway.  Either way, this film looks at what happens to ordinary people once the war has been won, but everything has changed forever.  

It's not really about war though - it's about loss and forgiveness and finding a way forward. As her husband is away so much, Rachel finds herself in the company of the German widower who owns the house. 

He recognizes her unhappiness and does little things to try and help.  He brings her firewood to keep her warm and turns the gramophone so that she can hear the beautiful music he is playing, letting the notes drift down the staircase to meet her.  In short he offers warmth and comfort in the midst of her lonely existence and woos her with romance.  I'm a little disappointed that he didn't read her any German poetry, but it is still a beautifully romantic film.

Alexander Skarsgard is tall and handsome, with brown hair and lovely blue eyes, so you can understand why he turns Rachael's head.  There are a couple of steamy love scenes, so it's probably not one to watch with your granny, but you'll never look at a dining room table in the same way again!  While it does have a happy ending, it is not the ending I would have wanted - I would have preferred the alternative.  Still, it's a lovely film and I enjoyed it so much I've just bought the book on Amazon.  If you have a couple of hours to spare, you could do worse with your time than watch The Aftermath.  It certainly leaves a romantic after-glow so enjoy!