This little gem from our friends in Germany is a shamelessly feel-good movie, and one of the most unabashedly romantic movies I think I've ever seen. Who knew the Germans could bring us such a wonderful romance? Is it mostly fantasy? Absolutely. Is it unrealistic? Of course. But, to paraphrase a quote from this movie, the most important thing about a movie is how it makes you feel. And darned if this movie didn't make you feel good. It wasn't trying to portray the brutal, gut-wrenching reality of life in East Germany during the erection of the Wall. Those historical events were almost an afterthought compared to the romance. It wasn't trying to make you think deep thoughts. It was just trying to portray the joy of falling in love and do so in a fun and often funny sort of way.
This movie felt like pure magic, from start to finish. The cinematography was spectacular. The supporting characters were fun, interesting and quirky. And the two leads were just plain awesome. Dennis Mojen made our sweet, naive hero instantly likeable, but he was also great at portraying a romantic guy that any girl would have a hard time resisting. Emilia Schüle was fun, beautiful and sexy, but also warm and vulnerable when she needed to be. Their chemistry was off-the-charts. You were rooting for their romance to the very end of the movie, and you truly believed that this French girl would give up her life in Paris and move to the prison that was East Germany in order to be with the man she loved.
If you've seen any German period films, they mostly focus on WWII, the Holocaust, or living under the oppressive boot of the Stasi in Communist East Germany. They are extremely depressing. This fun, whimsical German movie was, frankly, a breath of fresh air. It's not about to win any awards for best International film, but if you see it, I guarantee you will leave with a big smile on your face.
This movie felt like pure magic, from start to finish. The cinematography was spectacular. The supporting characters were fun, interesting and quirky. And the two leads were just plain awesome. Dennis Mojen made our sweet, naive hero instantly likeable, but he was also great at portraying a romantic guy that any girl would have a hard time resisting. Emilia Schüle was fun, beautiful and sexy, but also warm and vulnerable when she needed to be. Their chemistry was off-the-charts. You were rooting for their romance to the very end of the movie, and you truly believed that this French girl would give up her life in Paris and move to the prison that was East Germany in order to be with the man she loved.
If you've seen any German period films, they mostly focus on WWII, the Holocaust, or living under the oppressive boot of the Stasi in Communist East Germany. They are extremely depressing. This fun, whimsical German movie was, frankly, a breath of fresh air. It's not about to win any awards for best International film, but if you see it, I guarantee you will leave with a big smile on your face.