CHARLOTTE
★★★
OUT 9 DECEMBER / CERT 12A / 92 MINS
DIRECTORS Tahir Rana, Éric Warin
CAST Keira Knightley, Jim Broadbent, Sam Claflin, Eddie Marsan
Painter Charlotte Salomon has drawn comparisons to Anne Frank: like the diarist, she was a young Jewish-German woman forced into hiding during World War II, who took refuge in her art — art that would ultimately outlive her, forming a first-hand account of a tragic, violent history. This mostly affecting film retells her story in a way designed largely for a young-adult audience, which means occasionally clichéd storytelling. For an account of an unconventional artist, the animation is disappointingly conventional, too — unlike, say, the impressionistic artwork of Van Gogh biopic Loving Vincent. Still, a righteous take on historical events and strong voice-work from Keira Knightley and Jim Broadbent make for an ultimately emotional, humane viewing experience.