Two Lives

This 2012 Norwegian film tells the story of Katrine. During World War II, many Norwegian children were sent to orphanages in Germany and the repatriation of these children was an ongoing political issue for many years. Every so often, one group or another would make progress in declassifying information or extracting reparations for the families involved. Katrine is one of these children and when a reporter arrives at her house after the latest small progress, she is loath to reopen old wounds. The remainder of the film proceeds to tell the history of Katrine, both in flashback and current investigation and interview. Part of the story includes spies, betrayal, murder, secrets and love, in many ways presented as a traditional thriller. But it also feels very plain and ordinary, with a feel similar to The Lives of Others, also set in East Berlin.
4 stars (out of 5)