I am German but usually I don't like most of the German movies. To slow, to toned down no emphasis on score, lack of creativity. And then I saw the trailer for Who am I. I went to the movie theater fixed to hate it. But I didn't. Because aside from the movie taking place in Germany and having German actors it comes across like a Hollywood movie.
First the cast. Tom Schilling delivers a really good performance as the outsider, shy, invisible for everybody. - Elyas M'Barek, well he does what he can, he is being the cool guy with some cool lines but thats about it. - Wotan Wilke Möhring is always great no exception this time. Bulked up, tattooed all over, very funny even though he has not that many lines. - Antoine Monot Jr. also very funny. - Trine Dyrholm very believable in her role, achieving very much with very little - Hannah Herzsprung sadly is terrible in this movie. She just doesn't fit in that role
Why is that movie good? Welll it has all the components. 1)A good script not outstanding but good. 2)Some good actors 3)a very cool soundtrack. You have this recurring theme you also hear in the trailer. And another theme that to be honest is very very similar to one from the dark knight. Still good. :-) And its not often that you remember a score of German movie. 4)Visuel effects and camera - camera: some really nice pans, tilts etc. 5) visual effects: benjamin takes ritalin and that is kind of like the movie is constructed. you have this wild parties, with slow motions and the electronic music underlining the whole "never-sleep-always-in-action" theme. Especially the "chatrooms" shown as a subway wagon where the hackers come together, great visual
I heard someone who didn't like the movie saying that after the movie there is nothing you think about for maybe one or two day. Well thats something you shouldn't expect from this movie. This is not a movie saying people watch what you do surfing through the net. Its not like enemy of the state. Its about hackers. And not even that. Its an action thriller and sometimes a drama. About a boy trying to make in impact in the world trying to get recognized. Its a popcorn movie. And of course there a better ones but if you look at the German movie market you won't find a better one. Finally we can be cool. :-)
