Das letzte Wort

Who really has to have the last word? And is that even possible? Technically speaking that is - so no pun intended and no math involved. Life is not endless. Whether or how often we face the fact we will leave (one way or another and according to our belief system the goal/destination may vary) ... at least the body we inhabit ... that is up to us. Movies and shows are here to remind us of that at times - like this one right here.

And while this does not hold a candle compared to Six Feet under (I would try not to compare it with that - even if you find it has some similarities story wise), it never really tried to compete in that business (again sorry for the pun). Family business can be killer - well not entirely literal that is. Good TV show from Germany, with a great Anke Engelke ... she knows her stuff for sure - and ages with grace.

I absolutely loved it. Interesting, off the beaten path story, excellent acting. American actors and actresses must realize that one don't need plastic surgeries and enhancements to be a movie star. One needs to ACT! I loved Dutch series Rita and loved this one. Grateful that Netflix has so many European and South American series and films. I prefer to watch in original language with subtitles, even though some could be watched in english.

I couldn't sit through more than 5 minutes of this. Dumb egocentrics with lots of money celebrate and someone is apparently going to die (don't know). Why just one, and not all? Watch the Flintstones instead; that show has relatable, well-developed characters that are lacking in this outgrowth of German bourgeois banality.

Germans are not known for their comedy series as their type of humor does not translate well across cultures. This series starts off strong but by the last two episodes, the writers appear to have lost the plot and both episodes really take the whole series totally off the rails. It's as if they had no idea how to end the season, either as a stand alone or with a cliffhanger in preparation for another season. Unless that issue is resolved, this series might just end up being a one hit wonder. For the most part, the actors are well suited to their roles but because the script starts to weaken midway into the season, they really start running out of any means to develop their characters further.

This is a very, a very good show! The first thing to say is, that the actors are overall absolutely convincing. Anke Engelke and Thorsten Merten are a fantastic od couple. Merten also had the idea for the show. He is a excellent German actor with roots in east Germany. Best known for his work with Andreas Dresen. Just to mention his character Chris Düring in the wonderful tragic comedy HALBE TREPPE. It is a pleasure to see him teaming up with German superstar of comedy and drama films, the one and only Anke Engelke. But there are also young rising actors like Aaron Hilmer who had a skyrocketing performance in the surprise movie hit of 2018, DAS SCHÖNSTE MÄDCHEN DER WELT. Nina Gummich Johannes Zeiler, Juri Winkler and mean but charming grandma Gudrun Ritter. They all make the Fazius - Family - Clan a real pleasure to watch. The Dialog is well written and the scripts have a wonderful balance in drama and comic relief. Life an death are brothers in arms and this show helps us to get prepared for what is waiting out there for all of us. If it is the sudden death of a loved one or the way how you want to be remembered by the ones you left behind ... The showrunner and the directors did a marvelous job and we have to thank German super - dooper - megastar Matthias Schweighöfer because he is the founder of Pantaleon, the Production Company that made this diamond of a German dramedy possible. For those about to Rock, we salute you!!! ... I really hope that there will be a second season!