Der Kuchenmacher

"The Cakemaker" (2017 release from Israel; 104 min.) brings the story of Thomas, a cakemaker in Berlin whose Kredenz Cafe and Bakery is frequented by Oren, an Israeli guy often in Berlin on business. Even though Oren has a wife (Anat) and young son in Jerusalem, Thomas and Oren start an affair. We then go to "One Year Later", and apparently Thomas and Oren live together when Oren comes to Berlin. Then one day, after Oren leaves for Israel, he no longer returns Thomas' calls, and to his horror, Thomas finds out that Oren was killed in an accident. Wanting to find out more, Thomas decides to go to Jerusalem and contact Anat (without revealing to her who he is). At this point we're 15 min. into the movie, but to tell you more of the plot would spoil your viewing experience, you'll just have to see for yourself how it all plays out.

Couple of comments: the movie is written and directed by Ofir Raul Grazier. I can't say that I am familiar with his prior work. But I do know this: "The Cakemaker" is one of the best movies I have seen this year. Given the plot-heavy nature of the movie (the key question being: will Thomas reveal to Anat who he really is or will he be found out about?), I am not going to say much more. Well-known and respected French-Israeli actress Sarah Adler is outstanding as the grieving widow. German actor Tim Kalkhof plays Thomas, and does fine. As it turns out, this is a bit of a foodie movie too, featuring German cakes and pastries (I'll have another slice of Black Forest Cake any day!).

"The Cakemaker" premiered on the film festival circuit in the summer of 2017, and has won near-unanimous critical acclaim. Indeed, "The Cakemaker" is one of those rare movies that is certified 100% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. "The Cakemaker" opened at my local art-house theater here in Cincinnati this weekend, and I couldn't wait to see it. The Friday early evening screening where I saw this at was attended okay, but just okay (about 15-20 people). If you have any interest in a top notch foreign movie with fully developed characters and with a touch of foodie stuff sprinkled in, I'd readily suggest you check out in the theater (if you get a chance), on VOD (more likely) or eventually on DVD/Blu-ray, and draw your own conclusion. For me, "The Cakemaker" is a WINNER all the way.

"The Cakemaker" is a gentle, sad film about a young German man who becomes infatuated with his deceased male lover and travels to Israel to be close to the lover's widow and child. He gets a job at a cafe run by the widow and the two of them strike up an uneasy romance of sorts -- both of them use the other as a proxy for the man who's no longer in either of their lives. Within this complicated emotional scenario, the film explores themes of cultural and religious prejudice and intolerance -- the German man has to overcome animosity and assumptions made about him by some of the Israeli characters while the widow has to contend with a different sort of prejudice because she's not religious and isn't "kosher" enough for some.

It's a very quiet and thoughtful film, and I really enjoyed its gentle rhythms. It's very much about grief and the human instinct to find people and things to keep alive the memories of those we've lost.

Grade: A-

The Cakemaker is melodrama fodder. A married man, a young son, a gay affair, death, deceit, revelation - the setup has all the trappings of a trite lifetime movie. It's not though, far from it. Instead, it's one of the quietest and most delicate films I've seen this year. It trades dramatic fireworks for quiet rumination, diving deep into the psychology of grief rather than indulging in scandal. The performances are beautifully restrained, the dramatic weight carried on the slightest of expressions. Character motivations are left largely unarticulated, challenging the viewer to empathize and draw their own conclusions as to their thoughts and feelings. The languid pacing may be patience-testing for some, but I found myself comforted and calmed by the stillness of the film. The drama is quite layered as well with cultural, social, and religious themes impressing upon the core triangular relationship. Perhaps what I admire most about the film though is the broad, non-judgmental way in which it depicts love and loss, unbound by social and cultural divides. A beautiful, honest, and melancholic piece.

Strong 4/5

Tim Kalkhof is such a great actor. Just by looking at his look and the expression on his face you can understand his deep feelings. Excellent movie.

A magnificent film. for the precise manner to build the emotions. for the art of detail. for impeccable performances. for gestures, silence and the breath of words. a film mixing in splendid manner the grace, the sensitivity, the clash of civilisations and the love stories. a graceful film. like the taste of a slice of Black Forest cake or the taste of cinnamon cookies. for me it was a revelation. because it is more than a good/beautiful film. it is more than a complex and almost mystic love story. it is more than a masterpiece. it is exactly the film who you need it.Sarah Adler , givind the salted gestures, words and emotions of her character. Tim Kalkhof creating a character of Romanticism in pure sense. the cooking becoming sensual and magic. all being absolutely perfect. delicate. convincing. and the package for the best gift. short, a graceful film.