The “Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society” is an informal book club set up by a small group of people on Guernsey during the Nazi occupation. A London-based writer, Juliet (Lily James) begins a correspondence with one of them that leads to her visiting the island. As she slowly becomes drawn into their way of life, she also learns about their secrets.
It’s a hugely entertaining drama. Some of the reviews, such as Peter Bradshaw’s for The Guardian, dismissed it as twee fluff, but there’s more grit there than you might imagine. There’s certainly human pain and suffering. (Then again, Bradshaw gave five stars to the truly awful Inside Llewyn Davis, so what does he know?)
The performances are superb. Lily James is as charming and lovable as ever. Penelope Wilton and Tom Courtney convey depth as two of the older members of the group. Katherine Parkinson exudes charm as the slightly scatty Isola Pribby, and Michiel Huisman has rugged appeal as the kindly pig farmer Dawsey Adams.
A lot of little sub-plots add further depth and texture, although a fair amount has been cut from the novel by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows to make it work on screen – leading to a couple of loose ends.
I was reminded of Local Hero at times – visitor from afar falls in love with a small coastal village and its way of life. And while it doesn’t have the laughs of that film, it’s similarly heartwarming.
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