An Officer and a Spy

            Roman Polanski’s mesmerizing, exquisitely told account of the notorious “Dreyfus Affair” in France in 1894 when a 35-year-old Jewish French artillery officer- Alfred Dreyfus (Louis Garrel)- was wrongfully accused of treason, stripped of his rank and exiled to solitary confinement on Devil’s Island, off the coast of French Guiana.

            The focus of the film, based on a novel by Robert Harris, is on Lieutenant Colonel Georges Picquart (Jean Dujardin), whose opinion of Dreyfus, who was a student of his, was never high. He is promoted to the head of French Intelligence, in a run-down building filled with antagonistic officers who view him with suspicion and contempt. 

            Picquart is also been having a long-term affair with an officer’s wife (played beautifully by Emmanuelle Seigner).

            Some purloined material lands on his desk, causing an investigation into Major Ferdinand Walsin Esterhazy of selling low-risk secrets to the Germany Embassy. But Esterhazy has asked to be moved up in the government, which would expose him to more sensitive material. Unfortunately, as Picquart’s investigation gathers more evidence, it becomes clear that he might be the traitor Dreyfus was falsely accused to be. But the higher-ups warn him away from anything to do with Dreyfus. Picquart’s sense of honor and duty propel him to continue his examination of the facts and not sweep this under the rug. Which puts him in the government’s crosshairs. Soon he too is railroaded and imprisoned.

            What follows is the rising up of famous authors like Emile Zola (Andre Marcon), coming to the defense, setting the powder-keg of antisemitism in the country to ignite. It’s an appalling story, and Polanski’s lavish production design and attention to historical detail is impeccable.

            Also, as the shadowy conspiracy against Picquart begins to gain traction, Polanski’s masterful sense of paranoia and unease creeps into every frame. There is something to be said about telling a historical story that is frighteningly prescient.

            (Besides including terrific actors in the cast like Mathieu Amalric, Vincent Perez and Melvil Poupaud, eagle eyes can spy Roman Polanski, elegantly dressed, during a music recital attended by officers and aristocracy). 

            The U. S. premiere of this film is opening August 8^th, for a two-week limited engagement, at The Film Forum (209 West Houston St.). Do not miss it!