Winter in Wartime -- Film Review

PALM SPRINGS -- World War II movies often are favorites of Academy voters, and Holland's entry in this year's foreign-language film Oscar race, "Winter in Wartime," has a good chance to be recognized when nominations are announced. It bears resemblance to another Dutch movie about the Resistance, Paul Verhoeven's "Black Book," a contender for the Oscars three years ago. "Winter" actually is a less-hyperbolic melodrama; indeed, it's one of the most beautifully crafted movies in this year's race. Even if it fails to snag a nomination, it deserves to be picked up for U.S. distribution because it has enough excitement to seize the attention of discriminating audiences.