Unfortunately, neither the screenplay nor the directing do the great premise enough justice. While the former does a pretty good job at subtly introducing the central conflict in the first half, the precise observations and interesting character dynamics give way to a more clumsy and cliché driven narrative in the second half. Meanwhile, the direction is continuously uninspired with none of the incredible actors involved being used anywhere close to their potential and odd framing and editing choices being a constant distraction from any elevation they might have brought.
Once again, certain elements work incredibly well (mild spoilers: to frame the problem of Western Germany not caring about the East after Reunification through the loss of childhood innocence and having a Swabian banker in town is inspired), but even these go out the window when the focus keeps switching towards a boring lost father narrative and character agency is shifted.
Funny at times, but I expected more.
Unfortunately, neither the screenplay nor the directing do the great premise enough justice. While the former does a pretty good job at subtly introducing the central conflict in the first half, the precise observations and interesting character dynamics give way to a more clumsy and cliché driven narrative in the second half. Meanwhile, the direction is continuously uninspired with none of the incredible actors involved being used anywhere close to their potential and odd framing and editing choices being a constant distraction from any elevation they might have brought.
Once again, certain elements work incredibly well (mild spoilers: to frame the problem of Western Germany not caring about the East after Reunification through the loss of childhood innocence and having a Swabian banker in town is inspired), but even these go out the window when the focus keeps switching towards a boring lost father narrative and character agency is shifted.
Funny at times, but I expected more.
