Zwischen Sommer und Herbst

Maybe it's because I'm a heterosexual male that I have struggled to warm to same-sex films, even though I have seen a few, but I was particularly impressed by this one.

Lena is the younger sister of Jonas who has a girlfriend Eva. Lena is quiet, introverted, inexperienced in love. Eva is emotionally insecure, after years of living with a mother who frequently changed partners. One day Eva kisses Lena and the two girls are shocked and surprised.

There are several outstanding qualities about the film. Firstly, its script is well-written, plotting the emotional journey of the two women, through initial surprise, uncertainty about their own feelings, whether what they did was right, uncertainty about the other's feelings.

Secondly, director Daniel Manns handles the film with the right pace. The story unfolds at a pace that allows the viewer to ponder what the women might feel without rushing into each stage. Brief musical interludes help with the film's rhythm.

Thirdly, all the characters are quite-well rounded. Even, the males, Jonas and Papa, are shown to have hidden emotional depths behind their sometimes (insensitive) humour. The women's characters are well-fleshed out.

And finally, one must mention Linn Reusse, who plays Lena. Her face is rich with conflicting emotions, the sign of a gifted actress.

At time of writing (2025), Manns has not directed another film, possibly the vagaries of low-budget filmmaking. What a pity, because he certainly is gifted.

It is great to see a well-made low-budget film. While many millions are spent making inane films, it's great to see that there are still people who can make a great film on a shoe-string budget.

The first contact between 17-year-old Lena (Linn Reusse) and 24-year-old Eva (Isabel Thierauch) takes place in the middle of the night at the refrigerator. Here Eva is confronted with Lena's quirky sense of humor and Lena with the fact that Eva is the new flirt of her brother Jonas. Right from the start, the two women get along well and Eva is a regular guest in the harmonic home of Jonas, Lena, and their single father. But one day, when Jonas accidentally forgets a meeting with eva, the two women go off on their own to do something together. And out of the blue, Eva kisses Lena. Though Eva has a difficult relationship with her own feelings, as it soon turns out. So poor Lena is thrown into even greater emotional chaos ...

Between Summer and Fall is a beautiful film, there's no other way to put it. It is one of those films that you can watch on a dark, rainy afternoon to warm your soul and yet it is almost entirely free of kitsch and exaggeration. Instead, it develops wrapped in a special tenderness, a simple but fine sense for the dimensions of its story. That makes for its special charm.

Part of this charm, for me, is the performance of Thomas Wolff, who plays the father of Lena and Jonas, in a warm and good-natured. I would like to be such a well-balanced, friendly person, that's what I keep thinking when I watch the film. I could watch him play this role for hours.

But Linn Reusse and Isabel Thierauch also play their roles well. The attraction between them is quite believable. The character of Eva is a bit too edgy, the role of Lena a bit too vague, but because of the combination, both single factors don't stand out that much.

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The entire movie, from start to finish, was excellent! The two women are beautiful and great actresses. I can't believe this movie hasn't won awards in Germany because it was just so beautiful. I think if it would have been made here in the U.S. it would have been a giant success. The subtitles may be an issue for some people. All of the characters are likeable and It's impossible not to fall in love with Lena, played by Linn Ruesse. She is smart, sweet, and very sexy. The writing is touching, thoughtful, very well put together, and the movie leaves you captivated as to what will happen next. Also, a big plus, there is no violence against women in this film. Most lesbian movies are all over the place with the writing and have much violence again the female characters. The cinematography is just marvelous. The film really shines a realistic light on just how strong passion can truly be and how two people can't help but feel love and a deep connection, even when the relationship is considered taboo. Everything about this movie is brilliant and is a total gem!! I highly recommend.

The best movie I have ever watched in my life.What else can I say? It is simply the best.