ReelBob: ‘A Hidden Life’ ★★★

By Bob Bloom

Like most of Terrence Malick’s movies, “A Hidden Life” is visually stunning and poetic.

Also, like most of his movies, “A Hidden Life” is a work that is highly contemplative.

Set in Austria and Germany during World War II, it is a story of conscience — of an individual who puts his own beliefs ahead of the state.

Words such as good, bad or entertaining are useless when describing a movie by Malick.

His films are more mood pieces, cinematic works of art in which visual style takes precedence over story and character.

The movie, based on true events, explores the life of Franz Jägerstätter (August Diehl), a peasant farmer living in the eastern Austrian village of St. Radegund, where he works and lives with his wife, Fani (Valerie Pachner), their three young daughters, Fani’s sister, Resie (Maria Simon) and Franz’s mother.

The outside world seems far away. But, soon, Franz is drafted into the German army and sent to basic training. He is away for months.

After the fall of France, Franz returns to his family and farm. But as the war goes on, Franz and the other able-bodied men in the village are called up to fight.

Their first requirement, though, is to swear an oath of allegiance to Adolf Hitler and the Third Reich.

This, Franz, a devout Catholic, cannot do. He is arrested, imprisoned, tried and sentenced to death.

While the plot is simple, Malick’s method of telling his story — his trademark use of voice-over narration, his many shots of misty mountains, clear and running brooks, forests, trees, cloud-filled skies and farm animals — create a world of beauty that seems immune to the darkness surrounding the Jägerstätters’ idyllic world.

The movie contains very little dialogue. It mostly utilizes character narration, which includes letters between Franz and Fani.

At nearly three hours, “A Hidden Life” is a movie that takes patience and tolerance because Malick — as is his wont — is more interested in displaying the world of the Jägerstätters than in advancing their story.

He wants us to understand and savor their environment, believing that will create for us a deeper understanding of Franz and Fani and the actions that upend their lives.

The shadow of Nazi fanaticism hovers over the movie as former friends slowly begin to turn against Franz and Fani; him for refusing to take the oath, her for supporting him.

Even those who sympathize with Franz’s ideals, such as the village priest, attempt to convince him to take the oath even if he doesn’t believe it.

God doesn’t hear your words; he sees what’s in your heart, Franz is told.

Still, this pious man adheres to his principles even if it costs him his life.

“A Hidden Life” is a slow movie and, yes, sometimes it’s a bit dull and weighty. But Malick does not make movies for mass consumption. His singular vision can be challenging, even frustrating, but we need such filmmakers to remind us of the potential of cinema and that it can be more than just special effects, explosions and fast-and-furious stunt work.

Sometimes, we need a movie that quietly and poetically delves into the human heart to remind us of our capacity for love and forgiveness.

I am a founding member of the Indiana Film Journalists Association. My reviews appear at ReelBob (reelbob.com) and Rottentomatoes (www.rottentomatoes.com). I also review Blu-rays and DVDs. I can be reached by email at bobbloomjc@gmail.com or on Twitter @ReelBobBloom. Links to my reviews can be found on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

A HIDDEN LIFE
3 stars out of 4
(PG-13), thematic material, violent images