The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

I believe the most valuable of everything is, experience. Nothing can beat it. And you feel the need for it when you have little of it, too many questions and no answers. So what do you do? You turn to books. You read and understand from the experience of others in the hope to find some answer and in turn some peace of mind. I know that’s how I got to them. Then from reading to writing is only a matter of degree of desperation. When no one can understand what you have to say and you cannot say it to the one it is meant for, the empty canvas becomes your closest companion.

Young writer Juliet Aston’s life takes on a course she never imagined, when she receives a letter from a stranger, Dawsey Adams who asks for a favor in the form of an address to a bookstore so as to procure a copy of a specific novel. Following her hunch and compelled by his story that prompted him to write to her, Juliet invites herself making the journey to Guernsey not knowing what she will find there, but is certain that it needs to be experienced.

Directed by Mike Newell, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is the new addition to Netflix’s set of sort after feature films. Based on the book by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows the movie is a visual spectacle set in the end of the WWII era, shown through a young beautiful writer who takes a leap of faith and finds herself reaching for the stars. Having steered the wheel for Prince of Persia: The sands of time, Harry Potter and the Goblet of fire and Mona Lisa Smiles, Mike Newell is an experienced and accomplished director who displays his art once again. Time and care has been taken to give the audience the closest feel to the magnanimous landscapes of the United Kingdom together with the emotions of the characters with utmost finesse.

The script and screenplay writers are to be lauded as well, as the dialogues compliment the entire set up and bring out the scenic beauty together with the rawness of human emotions.

A beautiful painting captured in motion, the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society was worth the wait and delivers on all counts, coming out with flying colors.

Lily James portrays the role of young and ambitious Juliet Ashton who looks ethereal, to say the least as she is a vision in white that is extremely pleasing to the eyes. Displaying strong work of her art, James essays the role with ease and poise displaying femininity, conviction and courage all at the same time, as needed by the character. Centered on Juliet Ashton of course but the film does not lack in the masculine counterparts. Three fabulously good looking men, Michiel Huisman, Mathew Goode and Glen Powell finish of the leads for this gorgeous drama, and handsomely so.

Mathew Goody plays, Sidney Stark the publisher to Juliet Ashton and somehow anchors the film, with his portrayal of the ‘Means business but is an emotional man too’ character splendidly well. Glen Powell is the doting in love fiancé who wears his heart on his sleeve and isn’t shy of displaying his fondness towards his lady love. Powell has accomplished everything in keeping his character sleek and sharp making for a refreshing yet apt choice for the role. And Finally, Michiel Huismen plays the quintessential dreamy blue eyed man who speaks more with his eyes than his words. While Huisman’s character shadows the protagonist through out the feature presentation, it does stand nicely by itself too, thus giving certain presence and command to Dawsey Adams which has been successfully portrayed by him.

A story woven intricately with the weaves, of love, loss, family and the need for human being to have companionship is depicted wonderfully. An enjoyable watch and one that puts a big smile at the end of it, that continues into the credits. A feel good, inspiring film that I have already watched twice in the last eight hours is a must watch for you as well if you want to find out how it got its title. ;)