Urlaub vom Leben

A wonderful movie. Gustav Peter Woehler in a psychologically precise role starring as a husband and father who suffocates from monotony. With the help of a "mysterious" taxi driver (engagingly talkative and furtively melancholic: Meret Becker), however, he slowly manages to gain a new sense of meaning and joy in life.

All actors play their parts convincing- and charmingly. The story is warm-hearted, and overall told in a life-affirming manner - albeit with a convincing and uncompromising sad existentialist undertone that creates many strong moments of identification.

With her portrait of a middle-class family in Bremen, the directress demonstrates great empathy and the ability to balance the odd cliché with dry humor and wry dialogues.

We follow Wolf Koester (Woehler) through a life of suppressed emotion and strange brief encounters of a typical day and a typical life - the chance of meeting someone who might change our life forever waiting just around the corner.

I can recommend the movie to everyone who loves becoming emotionally involved in a little wonderful film.