In this adaptation of a novel by Brian Moore, a pardoned Vichy collaborator (Michael Caine) pursued by a judge, a colonel, and angry Jews hides out with right-wing Catholics in the south of France. Not quite a thriller and not quite a character study, though with elements of both, the film is limited by its ambiguous relation to history. (Caine’s character is loosely inspired by Paul Touvier, whose story played out quite differently despite his similarly being aided by members of the Catholic clergy.) Caine does a fine job of playing this queasy role, and Charlotte Rampling is effective in a small part as his estranged wife, but the sounds of ax grinding periodically overtake the other elements. Directed by Norman Jewison from a screenplay by Ronald Harwood (The Pianist); with Tilda Swinton, Jeremy Northam, and the late Alan Bates. R, 120 min. (JR)