This is one of the most appropriately named films I have been to, though "Let me out" would have been better. The underlying story and ambition of the film cannot be faulted, nor can the acting. The script and characterization is however really poor. The tension in the film is not from the film itself but the embarrassed anticipation of which great actor will say something completely unbelievable next. I cringed at almost every scene. Of particular weakness was the character of the granddaughter (Lucy Boynton), who is given the role of blonde dippy air head that had a man written it would have rightly caused outrage at the stereotypical sexism of the role. I couldn't wait for the end, which arroved blissfully unexpectedly in the absence of any punchline
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anthony-1963612 September 2017
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fedupaswell24 March 2018Acting and storyline were fascinating but gee,daughter missing out on mummy's love. Boo hoo. Girls, give old grandma a break. Wartime makes people do all sorts. Sure the old girl did'nt regret it, what was she supposed to do, jump in front of a speeding train? She was a bit of a nut case, I would have just left her there to rot. I thought she seemed a bit too sprightly for her supposed age. Why would the home allow her to keep the Nazi uniform in her room? Who paid for her care there? And If I was Helga and footed the bills, before I left I would have complained about it big time. I don't understand why she went to visit her for in the first place. I would have paid cousin Eva to take care of things for me. Slow and tedious saga, could not wait for it to end.
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adacosta-8222214 September 2017It has been a long time since a film has been able to make me re-think human attributes and wonder how my upbringing, actions and life has been formed by historical events. I give this film 10 stars because I left with fresh insight. The characters were well developed, authentic and suitably cast. There were many poignant scenes juxtaposed against the peace and beauty of the woods, London and Vienna.
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gilesrobbins14 August 2017Let Me Go is a thoroughly engaging film which is both entertaining and at times shocking. It brings into sharp focus the enduring and absolute nature of human evil and its affect on future generations. The film is beautifully shot and the performances by Juliet Stevenson and Karin Bertling are stunning.
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A thought provoking film that steadily absorbs you.The subject is hugely relevant in today's world. How crimes of the past impact the different generations, how the bonds of family can be stretched and yet brought back together. The characters are brilliantly cast. Loved the soundtrack which is a masterpiece in itself.
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markniznik-0254213 July 2017Powerful as it's based on a true story. Great casting of the main characters. Although the film is about how a family comes to terms with issues of the past, it has many parallels to what's going on around us in the world today. Fantastic soundtrack and camera work. I'd thoroughly recommend seeing this film.
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charliemcginty-4831418 October 2017Based upon the true life memoire of Helga Schneider, Let Me Go explores the effect of abandonment and its rippling impact on family relationships; in this instance between four generations of women in the same family. A fantastic cast led by Juliet Stevenson (Truly Madly Deeply) playing Helga deliver on a thoughtful emotional and superbly adapted screenplay from Polly Steele (who also directs this independently financed piece – prize winning at Bentonville for the ensemble cast and part of the official selection for the Edinburgh Film Festival). Set in the London of 2000, we meet Helga as a woman working as a dressmaker in London who receives an unsettling letter and puts it away as her granddaughter calls into the shop. With a bit of cajoling by the granddaughter, Emily (Lucy Boynton – Sing Street), we learn Helga's cousin, Eva, has written from Vienna to say that Helga's mother, Traudi is close to death in a nursing home. That sad news is not only a revelation for Emily and Helga's own daughter, Beth (as a somewhat lost soul and free spirit by Jodhi May) as neither were aware of a Traudi's being alive, but it is clear that Helga doesn't want to talk about the estrangement. It is only with some interweaving of flashbacks and Helga's own reluctant partial remarks that we learn that 60 years earlier Helga (then only four years old), is left in wartime Germany by Traudi to the care of an aunt. Traudi embodies many contradictions as both vulnerable, needy and confused old woman in a care home, but then at times revealing that she is sharp, devious and quite wicked. Without doubt played brilliantly by Swedish actress, Karin Bertling (The Bridge and Wallander). Emily's naïve excitement at discovering she has a long lost great- grandmother and her genuine affection for Helga sees her wheedling onto the trip to Vienna where we then get to follow not only the tides of Helga and Traudi's lives, but to see the unmistakable effects that mark Beth and Emily with the inevitable unravelling of family secrets and guilt. Underpinned by a moving and sympathetic soundtrack composed by Phil Selway (Radiohead) beautifully using a string quartet to mirror the main protagonists and the beautiful and poignant settings in and around Vienna, this film makes one think about the very essence of life, relationships and family ties. Bravo to the UPP for giving this two sold out shows and I hope there may be a growing take up of this small masterpiece of storytelling.
CHARLIE MCGINTY -
davidstev21 July 2017Made you think a lot about how individual and family fortunes are forever impacted by involvement in major world events, when everyone else has moved on or forgotten. Very atmospheric locations and music. Left slightly curious about the role of other (male) family members who didn't feature - but maybe not that important to the main drama.
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kaboodle6316 September 2017Polly Steele does a wonderful job of exploring the characters, their relationships with each other and the way each generation deals with the past and, without giving too much away, Helga's story gives a very different perspective of the impact of WWII.
A well written, directed and shot film with an excellent soundtrack that almost becomes another character, and definitely worth seeing. -
daviddlightfoot17 September 2017Let Me Go is one of if not the most important movie released in 2017 because of the unique approach to addressing the most appalling of family secrets. The polished cast, impeccable directing, and amazing soundtrack provide the audience with a brilliant movie experience. Each actress in this incredible ensemble cast is able to carve out their own unique character with complex connections to each of the generations represented. Juliet Stevenson delivers what could be the most superb performance of her already notable career.
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jeremymstone15 July 2017This is a truly remarkable movie based on a true story with a screenplay that is beautifully written and manages to conjure multiple emotions for the viewers. The performances of the entire cast is amazing but the interactions between the leading ladies leaves one often holding one's breath in anticipation. With a backdrop of the most incredible photography, a film score that is rich and beautiful in content and amazing all round production this is a film that draws the viewer in from the first scenes and never lets go. A thought provoking film absolutely appropriate for today's world and quite simply a must see movie.
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susanmadden22 February 2018Such an incredible film and a true story! It has left a deep impression on myself and my husband. Intergenerations affected by trauma going back 4 generations can easily by translated into today's society. A must view. Lessons to be learnt. And such wonderful acting. The sound track is so aptly written and beautiful. We haven't stopped talking about it.
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This is a thoughtful and thought provoking film. Beautifully shot, acted and delivered in such a way that I actually felt my toes curl occasionally (a first!). This together with real heartfelt pain, recognising many of the elements that can make the mother / daughter relationship so very brittle and traumatic. Progress to the further generational mix and you have one very powerful film, that genuinely left me unable to properly converse at the end. The hauntingly enigmatic lament of Philip Selway's score will stay with me for a long and indulgent time. The combination is a resonant sensory masterpiece, and I urge you to see it.
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midlandmaverick7 October 2017The difficult relationship between mother, daughter and granddaughter, hidden secrets, unspoken truths. The development of the story and the discomfort as the story unfolds, the brilliant portrayal of the characters and a roller coaster of (my) emotions. If you are devoid of emotion, you might not feel the impact of this great film but for all other mortals, it will leave you astounded. I'm so glad I saw this film, tricky as the subject actually turns out to be. 5 stars from me.
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madhatter195427 November 2020The complex mother/daughter relationship (through 4 generations) is encapsulated in this exceptional true life story. Helga Schneider is not only brave for having survived such a crippling childhood, but to have shared this story with the world.
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When I saw this film the director gave us a talk afterwards, which nearly as engrossing as the film. It is an amazing and startling story, there was one moment when everyone (in our wonderful local independent cinema in Saffron Walden) literally gasped in unison.
This film has an engrossing story, we know this early in the film so this is not a spoiler. A mother abandons her 4 year old child to work for the Nazis, her child later tries to understand her mother. They have been estranged for many years but she tries to make amends with her.
Juliet Stevenson is wonderful - well that's a given (I love her, Truly Madly Deeply is one of favourite films ever). She apparently really wanted to make this film and made herself available. But the mother. Well she is something else. She is presented as a rather fail old lady, but she is CHILLING, brilliantly portrayed. Mesmerising. The rest of the cast are all excellent too - I personally liked the boyfriend A LOT!! (eye candy!). I think given the subject matter, we needed that!
The story has been a little adapted from real life (was a son not a daughter), afterwards at the Q and A we got to ask some questions, and mostly we asked did THIS really Happen, did she REALLY say that - can that really happen now? The answers were all 'yes'. Jeepers.
The budget was tiny by film standards, I seem to remember it was £1m or £2. Astonishing what was achieved, but one does feel a little lack of variety of locations and sets... but it doesn't really matter, thats why I gave it an 8, but maybe I sd just have gone for 10 anyway. The simplicity concentrates the mind on the story.
Watch this film, you will find yourself telling all your friends about it as I to the director, Polly, who spoke to the daughter many times, so was very moving. Really a great film. Should be HUGE! -
spidargirl1 June 2023Amazon Prime thanks for letting this tender,well acted small cast film be viewed for free .
The views of was it Germany? Were beautiful.
I will be tracking down the book of the film to check out how true to the book it is. So many stories about the last two world wars have amazing stories of bravery in extreme conditions. This is a completely different experience of the way a mother was indoctonrinated in to doing her small part to put Adolf Hitler's plan for riding the world of any one who didn't fit his idea of a perfect Germany and ultimately if he had succeeded the world. Great costumes, photography, locations and acting. -
rossboyask-113 January 2022A terrific, mostly female cast bring complex characters to life in this moving drama based on a genuinely unsettling true story. The locations are beautiful and the film is gorgeously shot. A bittersweet and compelling story of four generations of women.