The lives of others
I missed this movie in the theaters but I finally got to see it last night on dvd and wow. What an amazingly moving, important, beautifully shot and thought provoking film! If you haven’t seen it yet run out and rent it, now. Ulrich Mühe’s perfomance as a Stasi officer is so subtle and powerful it had me in tears, it really did. Really amazing. I thought Martina Gedeck’s performance was also particularly good, I remember her from another wonderful german movie (which we even studied for inspiration in the beginning days of Ratatouille) Mostly Martha. The lives of others is one of those movies that will have you think for days about deeply important and present issues and that is a hard thing to come by nowadays in movies. And if you’ve already seen this movie don’t miss this great interview with director Henckel von Donnersmarck on Fresh Air from a few months ago, really interesting.
I just heard Ulrich Mühe died of cancer at the age of 54 just a few months ago, that is so sad.
September 4th, 2007 at 6:24 pm
Great movie, I agree.
The main actor was excellent. The “double” opening sequence defines his character so well and is one of my favorite with the one where the woman is forced to make out with the minister in the car.
Your movie suggestions are always really good. Can I suggest a movie to you?
“A Snake of June” by the Japanese director Shinya Tsukamoto.
September 4th, 2007 at 8:22 pm
I agree. I saw this in a rep theatre in the city. It was amazing. One of the better movies I’ve seen as of late.
September 4th, 2007 at 10:39 pm
Always great recommendations, Enrico (oh! Just noticed gabriele says the same thing). I’ve added both The Lives of Others and Mostly Martha to my queue.
Maybe gabriele’s suggestion, too…
September 5th, 2007 at 1:22 am
Still haven’t seen the movie yet, but it’s definitely on my (long) list.
Completely unrelated: saw Ratatouille on Monday, and had to smile when I saw your name in the credits.
(I knew you worked on it, but I had temporarily forgotten, same for Michael Gagne.) Good job !
September 5th, 2007 at 3:54 am
I haven’t seen this one yet but Mostly Martha was wonderful.
September 5th, 2007 at 10:51 am
Been waiting to see this one ever since I caught the trailer on apple.com, looks like I will have to settle for the one here in Japanese subtitles !
September 5th, 2007 at 11:33 am
Gabriele- A snake in June, heard about it but haven’t seen it, will do! Thanks.
James- indeed, it’s at the top for me. Glad it won the oscar. On a tangent, I watched the Departed last night and I really don’t know how it won best movie, felt goofy and uneven to me. Thought the original (Infernal affairs) was way more compelling and subtle in characterization.
Lee-Roy- Cool, let me know how you like them.
Alexandre- Glad you liked Ratatouille.
Nathalie- Really fun wasn’t it? It took me a while to make the connection, the actress looks quite different in the lives of others.
blaureiter- did it already come out in theaters ?
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September 6th, 2007 at 12:29 am
I believe this one skipped the theatrical release and went straight to dvd. Many films get this treatment here in japan.