Scintillating 'Sophie' explores Nazi Germany through German eyes

'SOPHIE SCHOLL: The Final Days" is the latest in a series of cinematic examinations by Germans of Germans during World War II.

A tale of courage as well as a dialectic on law vs. conscience, the drama is enthralling, suspenseful and poignant.

Germany's entry in Oscar's foreign-language category, the film covers the final days in the life of the title character. The vibrant 21-year-old Munich resident is arrested with her brother for distributing anti-Nazi leaflets at a university in 1943.

Based on a true story, the picture concentrates on a cat-and- mouse game of words between Sophie Scholl (Julia Jentsch) and Robert Mohr (Alexander Held), the Gestapo interrogator.

A career functionary, Mohr feels duty-bound to implement the Nazi doctrine. The epitome of my-country-right-or-wrong, he alternately coaxes and badgers Sophie to make her confess that she intentionally committed treason.

Unlike most movies of this ilk, "Sophie Scholl" mixes in stretches of silence that keep the viewer on edge. Mohr uses the silences to weigh new information, mull modes of attack and increase his prey's discomfort.

Director Marc Rothemund's pacing allows time for glimpses into Mohr's unexpected empathy with Sophie.

When Mohr recognizes some truth in Sophie's arguments, his wall of denial goes up and he angrily resists.

Sophie proves irresistible. She radiates youthful idealism and honesty, and is a marvel of self-possession in Mohr's presence. The only clues that she's acting are her clenched hands, which are hidden from Mohr's view.

Initially, Sophie proves adept at playing the victim, wrongly accused and guilty of nothing more than a prank.

When new evidence suggests otherwise, Sophie speaks with passion and eloquence about the freedoms advocated in the leaflets.

Jentsch never hits a false note. Her Sophie appreciates life's little gifts and is fervent about her commitment. She and her brother (played by Fabian Hinrichs) were taught by their father that ideas are worth fighting for -- especially in the face of unconscionable actions by one's country.

"Sophie Scholl: The Final Days" shows snapshots of the real Sophie Scholl, her brother and friends during the closing credits. Deeply moving, they show that Jentsch captured her essence.

You can e-mail Barry Caine at bcaine@angnewspapers.com or call (925) 416-4806.

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