Suite Française

France, 1940. In the first days of occupation, beautiful Lucile Angellier is trapped in a stifled existence with her controlling mother-in-law as they both await news of her husband: a prisoner of war. Parisian refugees start to pour into their small town, soon followed by a regiment of German soldiers who take up residence in the villagers' own homes. Lucile initially tries to ignore Bruno von Falk, the handsome and refined German officer staying with them. But soon, a powerful love draws them together and leads them into the tragedy of war.

Critics broadly found the film handsomely crafted and well acted, with an absorbing but understated wartime romance that is less convincing when its writing becomes soapy.

• Lucile and Bruno develop a concealed emotional bond despite France being occupied by Germany and Bruno being a German officer.
• German soldiers are billeted inside French homes, placing Lucile's household under direct military control.
• The village is transformed by refugees, occupation, German soldiers, and competing responses to the new political order.
• The film uses carefully designed 1940s French settings and controlled performances to frame its wartime romance.

• The English PatientShared forbidden romance, wartime occupation, restrained emotional tone, and moral conflict between civilians and soldiers.
• AtonementShared World War II setting, intimate romance under military occupation, and bittersweet historical drama.
• The Painted VeilShared period romance shaped by war, class tension, divided loyalties, and emotionally tragic consequences.

Director

Saul Dibb

Release Date

2015-03-12

Runtime

103 min

Rating

7.2 / 10 (1160)

What is Suite Française about?

During the German occupation of France, a lonely young wife risks emotional and moral upheaval when she falls for the officer quartered in her home.

What is Suite Française like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Suite Française as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.

Is Suite Française violent?

Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Suite Française as mild.

What did critics think of Suite Française?

Critics broadly found the film handsomely crafted and well acted, with an absorbing but understated wartime romance that is less convincing when its writing becomes soapy.

Which films are like Suite Française?

Films with a similar feel include The English Patient, Atonement, and The Painted Veil.

How long is Suite Française?

Suite Française runs 103 minutes.

Where can I watch Suite Française?

In United States, Suite Française streams on The CW, Kanopy, Hoopla, Fandango at Home Free, Plex, Plex Player, Plex Channel, Fawesome, Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel, Xumo Play, Tubi TV.