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A nighttime fiery plane crash into a snow-covered field is too big of a temptation for two curious boys who ride their bikes out to examine the wreckage. The Germans aren’t keen on locals scouring through the downed Allied plane so when one, Michiel (Martijn Lakemeier in his feature film debut) is arrested he is brought before the unsurprisingly callous German officer in charge of the town.

Michiel is luckier than most because his father (Raymond Thiry) is able to use influence as town mayor get him out of trouble. However, Michiel despises what he views as his father’s cowardly collaboration while at the same time worshiping his rugged Uncle Ben (Yorick van Wageningen, The New World, The Chronicles of Riddick) for being in the Dutch resistance.

As the adults argue, Michiel is suddenly pulled into the resistance when the care of Jack (Jamie Campbell Bower, Sweeney Todd, New Moon), a wounded yet resilient British pilot, falls upon his shoulders. With a brave face, Michiel guards his secret with unflappable zeal and tells no one save his nurse sister, Erica (Melody Klaver). Inexperienced and alone, his world comes crashing down as the Nazis take drastic steps to find out who killed one of their own.

Adapted from Jan Terlouw’s 1972 novel, director Martin Koolhoven has crafted an engrossing, coming-of-age war drama. Lakemeier delivers a marvelous, multi-faceted performance while making Michiel a sympathetic figure any audience can root and feel bad for as his youth is lost to the fog of war. His role is wonderfully supported by Wageningen, who adds a certain gravitas to the overall picture.

The German soldiers are typically one-dimensional while Michiel’s father is woefully underdeveloped. There is plenty of tension to be had yet the story’s twists and turns are not genuinely surprising. To quote the Barenaked Ladies, “It’s all been done before.”

On a letter grade scale from “A” being excellent to “F” for failing, Winter in Wartime receives a B+.

Winter in Wartime is rated R and has a running time of 103 minutes.

Now showing through June 2 @

Tivoli Cinemas
Westport Manor Square, 4050 Pennsylvania, KCMO
Visit www.tivolikc.com or call 913-383-7756 for more information. 

Glenwood at Red Bridge
11118 Holmes, KCMO
Visit www.fineartsgroup.com or call 816-942-1131 for more information.

By Michael D. Smith

Indie Film Editor

Michael D. Smith earned a Bachelor of Arts in history at College of the Ozarks in Point Lookout, Missouri followed by a Master of Arts in history at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Inspired by such critics as Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert, Michael started reviewing films in 1992 for College of the Ozarks's student-run newspaper. After returning to the Kansas City area in 1994, he continued film reviewing by writing for the Cass County Democrat Missourian in Harrisonville.

In 2000 Michael joined Sun Publications in Overland Park, Kansas where he served as its film critic and Arts and Entertainment Editor. During his tenure there, he was also the film critic for the "Fine Arts Radio Hour" and "Celebrity Scoop" radio shows on KXTR. After leaving the Sun in late 2002, he became the A&E writer for the Olathe News in Olathe, Kansas. He also worked as a freelance writer for The Squire in Leawood, Showcase Publishing in Lake Ozark, Missouri and the Kansas City Star.

Michael is currently a member of the Kansas City Film Critics Circle, a professional film critic organization established in 1966 by the late Dr. James Loutzenhiser.

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