This is a likable, if overly long, set piece of a whimsical father trying to reconnect with his career-minded daughter. He suddenly shows up at her place of work in Bucarest, plays a few pranks with a wig and a set of Austin-Powers-style fake teeth, then refuses to leave and continues to prank his daughter and her entourage. There is a lot of -- probably largely improvised -- interaction between the father (Simonischek) and the daughter, who is played by one of my favourite actresses, Sandra Hüller. The displayal of the enormous tediousness of upper middle management is spot on. But that's it. If the film amazes by anything, it's by its ability to get through almost three hours of screen time with a plot that could fit on the back of a packet of matches.
But, best German film ever with a claim to the Palme d'or at Cannes, as every professional critic that I have read from would have us believe? Seriously? Pull the other one.
But, best German film ever with a claim to the Palme d'or at Cannes, as every professional critic that I have read from would have us believe? Seriously? Pull the other one.