We’re constantly retelling old stories through a modern lens, but how much is too far? I feel that if there’s value and the story and characters are good, then it is a worthy experiment. That’s where Erna At War leaves me feeling somewhat ambiguous. One has to walk a fine line using war to tell an anti-war narrative. The film lies in that muddy middle where it wants to be anti-war but relies on the tropes of battle bonding to get the characters where they need to go. The anti-war message takes a backseat to the character development.
Based on a novel by Erling Jepsen, the movie tells a complete journey, but one does get a sense that there was a more epic story that got abbreviated for the transition from one medium to another. Early on, we get a strong sense of Erna’s distaste for war and the German occupiers in particular. There are nods to why she can’t escape, but ultimately the story shifts to having her resigned to her military role. It’s a kind of nagging loose end that undermines the climax.
“The acting, costuming, and set design are all strong.”
The acting, costuming, and set design are all strong. The look, lighting, and visuals all form a fully realized world from 100 years ago. This is critical for us to buy into the plot and the plight of the characters. Another point in the film’s favor is its conceit. Since the notion of a mother serving in WWI something is that we, as audience members, aren’t familiar with how it will resolve is very hard to guess.
In the end, Erna At War is entertaining, watchable, and thought-provoking. Sure it has its imperfections. But I’ll take an imperfect stimulating movie over mindless perfection any day.
Erna At War screened at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.
"…there is value in seeing war from many perspectives..."
This was very interesting because of my name which has been in our family for many generations, my aunt Erna was in Denmark during the war also my great aunt Erna!