FOR LOVE OF COUNTRY // A FILM REVIEW OF "THE GOOD TRAITOR"
The life and legacy of Henrik Kauffmann, Danish Ambassador to the United States, may not be immediately familiar with all American audiences. Yet it should, because his actions during World War II were a dramatic tool in fighting against the Nazi invasion. Christina Rosendahl's new film THE GOOD TRAITOR showcases his story, a story of a man who saw the invasion of his country and stood up against it, defying his own King and making himself an enemy of his own land. Ulrich Thomsen plays Henrik Kauffman with such powerful gusto that if you didn't know his name before this, you surely won't forget it now.
The film starts at the end of his life, sitting inside of a sanitarium while his wife, lying by his side, slits his throat. It's definitely a dramatic way to begin the film, but robs the dramatic arc of the film going forward. Flashing back to 1940, we see Henrik and his family in the United States, as his office is in Washington D.C. His wife Charlotte (Denise Gough, equally as compelling in her performance) helps with his connections, as her family were close personal friends of President Franklin D. Roosevelt (Henry Goodman), the current President of the United States. Henrik spends his days having or attending garden parties and having a secret affair with Charlotte's sister Zilla (Zoë Tapper), one that he finds to be not-so-secret, as even Roosevelt notices. Eventually, the Nazi invasion reaches Denmark and the government surrenders after a not-at-all impressive fight. Henrik knows that he cannot hand his beloved country to Hitler and stages a very dangerous gamble: he declared his embassy as "independent" and the only true voice of Denmark and The King. By stating that he wouldn't take orders from a government without free will, he established himself as a man fighting the invasion alone while his country has been taken hostage.
He eventually convinces the United States to stand by him by brokering a deal to give them Greenland, a deal that still stands to this day. His actions during the war didn't only save Denmark, it also helped inspire other allies and pushed the United States to eventually join the war they continuingly resisted entering. The story is fascinating and is illuminated throughout the film, yet the filmmakers decide to spend far too much time on the love triangle of Henrik, Charlotte and Zilla. Though interesting to a point, it often takes over the narrative framing when the much more interesting and vital storyline is regulated to sidelines. The framing device of showcasing Charlotte kill her husband (which the Police later described as a "mercy killing") gives away any surprise on their relationship and doesn't lay enough groundwork to truly delve into Charlotte. Was she driven mad due to Henrik's infidelity? Possibly. Did she battle mental illnesses that were not diagnosed? Most likely. Still though, the performances are outstanding, particularly the quiet subtlety of Denise Gough and the commanding performance of Ulrich Thomsen, who should be a much more recognizable face here in the states. Though not perfect, THE GOOD TRAITOR has enough intrigue and solid filmmaking to make it an enjoyable watch, one that seems to beg for a longer version of Henrik's story.
GRADE: B
WRITTEN BY Kristian Bang Foss, Dunja Gry Jensen, Christina Rosendahl DIRECTED BY Christina Rosendahl STARRING Ulrich Thomsen, Denise Gough, Zoë Tapper, Henry Goodman. NOW PLAYING IN SELECT THEATRES, DIGITAL CINEMAS AND ON DEMAND. FOR MORE INFO: THE GOOD TRAITOR