I saw this movie recently on DVD. It was hard on me since there were only a German language track as well as only German subtitles. But it was easier than i thought understanding everything. And this movie was certainly worth it.
This is a movie about Alex and his mother. At the end of the communist era in DDR, before the reunification, Alex is walking in a demonstration. His communist mother sees him and is so shocked at his participation in something like this that she has a stroke. She falls into a coma and stays that way for eight months. And when she wakes up there is no more Berlin wall and no more DDR. But Alex fears she could never stand hearing this so he recreates the DDR in a bedroom in the family's apartment and upholds the illusion of DDR for his mother.
This movie is incredibly funny. I might start by saying that i have never been to Germany (East nor West) and that my knowledge of Germany comes mostly from TV, books and the German-classes in school. So the enjoyment of this film doesn't demand that you know everything about Germany, but of course some basic knowledge of history is required.
When i first saw it i was expecting a very light comedy. Something that would be very funny in a light and care-free way. But that is not what we are served here, what is served though is even better. As much as this movie is funny it is also sad. In a way it mourns for the things lost when DDR fell, but it is nostalgia that doesn't wish a way back. Rather it's just appreciating that there were good things in the DDR too. Which is a nice thing to hear since much of what has been reported here has been very one-sided.
Daniel Brühl is excellent as the main character Alex. I don't know how good his English is, but my guess is that he will be seen in Hollywood soon enough if that is his wish. Katrin Saß is also excellent as his mother. This movie is well directed, well made and well acted. It promises well for the German film industry. And it is certainly a recommended viewing.
I rate this 7/10.
This is a movie about Alex and his mother. At the end of the communist era in DDR, before the reunification, Alex is walking in a demonstration. His communist mother sees him and is so shocked at his participation in something like this that she has a stroke. She falls into a coma and stays that way for eight months. And when she wakes up there is no more Berlin wall and no more DDR. But Alex fears she could never stand hearing this so he recreates the DDR in a bedroom in the family's apartment and upholds the illusion of DDR for his mother.
This movie is incredibly funny. I might start by saying that i have never been to Germany (East nor West) and that my knowledge of Germany comes mostly from TV, books and the German-classes in school. So the enjoyment of this film doesn't demand that you know everything about Germany, but of course some basic knowledge of history is required.
When i first saw it i was expecting a very light comedy. Something that would be very funny in a light and care-free way. But that is not what we are served here, what is served though is even better. As much as this movie is funny it is also sad. In a way it mourns for the things lost when DDR fell, but it is nostalgia that doesn't wish a way back. Rather it's just appreciating that there were good things in the DDR too. Which is a nice thing to hear since much of what has been reported here has been very one-sided.
Daniel Brühl is excellent as the main character Alex. I don't know how good his English is, but my guess is that he will be seen in Hollywood soon enough if that is his wish. Katrin Saß is also excellent as his mother. This movie is well directed, well made and well acted. It promises well for the German film industry. And it is certainly a recommended viewing.
I rate this 7/10.