L'affaire Wallraff

This is almost definitely the worst film I have ever seen, taking into account that I've also seen STAR TREK INSURRECTION that's saying something. whom-ever passed this to be made is hopefully burning in hell.

AVOID, BEWARE, RUN FOR THE HILLS.

This true life story of an undercover German reporter, determined to discover the truth about media corruption, is fascinating. You can only admire the man's courage, and although I never quite got to grips with Peter Coyote's character - a very unusual role for this actor - it was a highly compelling story which didn't insult the viewers intelligence by spelling everything out, but allowed them to think for themselves. Juergen Prochnow's disguise was quite good, but it distracted me because he reminded me of some other actor, possibly James Woods, which nagged at me through the whole film. The relationship between Prochnow and his girlfriend was excellent. How anyone lived with a man like that is beyond me. Very interesting, and definitely one for people who like to have something to think about.

This was a rare film, an intelligent thriller which also tried to define the character of the protagonist and show many sides. The acting was terrific across the board and I appreciated the attempt to weave many nationalities together; IE... Monique van de Ven (Dutch), James Laurenson (British), Henry G. Sanders, (American), Natalie Baye (French), and Dieter Laser (German). The cinematography by Ricardo Aronovich (Argentine/Jewish)who shot 'Missing' for Costa-Gavras and 'Providence' for Alain Resnais, was sumptuous and moody. The editing by Luce Gruenwalt (Belgian) was fast-paced and the directing was thoughtful and compassionate.

Based on a true story, this is a small, issue-based film, not earth-shattering, but intriguing in its depiction of a supposedly free media in 1980s West Germany. The thrills are intellectual rather than action-based--the most frightening chase is in a dream sequence, the only violent death takes place in near-darkness and is messy and brutal rather than glamorous.

As a movie, it also offers a few rare gems: an adult relationship with real warmth and sexual chemistry between 40-somethings Jurgen Prochnow and Nathalie Baye; Peter Coyote seducing Prochnow with guns and chess; and the more amusing assertion that all it takes to make Prochnow unrecognizable, even to the mother of his children, is to put in brown contact lenses. And as an added bonus, I think it's the only time we see Jurgen and Dieter Prochnow onscreen together.

One for the indie audience rather than the masses. 7