Männer zum Knutschen

Männer zum Knutschen (2012), directed by Robert Hasfogel, is a German film shown in the U.S. as "Men to Kiss." Ernst (Frank Christian Marx) is a rather serious young banker, who is in a relationship with Tobi (Udo Lutz). Tobi is a will-of-the-wisp relaxed guy who lives to obtain pleasure for himself and others.

Ernie's childhood best friend, Uta (the beautiful Alexandra Starnitzky) arrives determined to destroy the relationship. (Also, if necessary, to destroy Tobi.) The plot of the movie is the interaction among the three of them. Added to the mix are Tobi's friends--some gay, some straight. It becomes clear to everyone--except, of course, Ernst--that if the relationship is to survive, Uta must be forced to leave. Uta, however, is a tough customer, who won't leave without a struggle.

Although I enjoyed the film, there were some weak aspects to it. Uta was so impossibly evil that even Ernst would have caught on sooner rather than later. Tobi's charm appealed to Ernst in the film, but would it appeal to him in real life? Would he really want a partner-- straight or gay--who lived solely for pleasure? We have to accept that for Ernst the answer was "yes." My thought was that sooner or later Ernst would want someone who cared about art, literature, politics, gay rights--something other than the next diversion.

Still, "Men to Kiss" was a pleasant enough movie. I enjoyed it, and would recommend it, although I don't think it's worth seeking out and seeing at all costs. The film was shown at the Little Theatre as part of the excellent ImageOut--the Rochester LGBT Film & Video Festival.

From an impressive line up at Queer Screen's Mardi Gras Film Festival, Men to Kiss was a highly memorable film.

The storyline is cute, funny and silly whilst remaining somehow believable and real. There are some great twists and subtle turns. Full of encapsulated moments, the film explores that line between friendship and obsession- an obsession born of unfulfilled desires and unrequited passion.

Frank Christian Marx is sweet and pitiful and at the same time brave and strong as the innocent Ernst. Udo Lutz is vibrant and assured, yet vulnerable and (rightfully) insecure as the adoring boyfriend Tobi. With a talented pool of actors it's hard not to love all the major players in some part as well as the oddball characters they meet along the way.

Filmed in Berlin, Men to Kiss gives a snapshot into the lives of a group of close, quirky friends and *their* Berlin. A place for friendship, romance, unpredictable nights and unforgettable moments.

Starting from the end and skipping back in time, you invariably know where the story is going to end- but not the why and the how, which makes the last few moments of the film excruciatingly tense in a very funny way. An enjoyable, fantastical debut from Ente Kross Film, it will be interesting to see what they come up with next.

'Men to Kiss' is a heartfelt comedy with two main characters I could watch all day long. They both are quirky, relatable, and lovable in their own way. And I was impressed with how professional this movie was produced. As a German who watches German TV regularly, this film was far above what one would expect on German TV, and I can see how it won international awards.

Even though one might have been able to guess how the film ends - like in most romantic comedies - 'Men to Kiss' offered some astounding elements and scenes all throughout the film, which spiced up the whole story.

The orchestra music underlined the whole film in a very coherent way and made some scenes even more emotional. It also showed the dedication and passion the filmmakers put into the production.

Overall, I laughed, I cried, I fell in love with the main actors, and I would recommend this film to anyone who wants to have a heart filled with love after watching this charming comedy.

I've been really eager to see Men to Kiss, hoping it might finally be a German comedy I could enjoy. Nope. I'm starting to think - after at least two dozen tries - that I just never will get German humor.

To me it always seems heavy-handed, loud, grossly exaggerated, totally lacking in subtlety, intelligence, gentleness, depth and warmth. It's like The Three Stooges.

So if you love The Three Stooges and can't imagine anything funnier than The Three Stooges as German gays in love, then this is the movie for you; it's not for me.

Unfortunately, it's awful in every other way too. Every character is like a cartoon character, a shallow overblown caricature of a human being, with nothing inside its hard and garish shell. The direction is cartoonish too, with an extreme close-up of someone's mugging face in nearly every shot.

There is NO credibility or chemistry in the relationship between Ernst and Tobias, which is the core of the movie. They're not even credible human beings. If I can't believe that those two love each other, or even that they're real, how can I care what happens to them? I don't.

Early in the movie I started thinking the actors and even their characters seemed very familiar, and I finally realized that many of them (actors AND their characters, and even some of the sets) were in an earlier movie called Alex and Leo, which I also hated for exactly the same reasons.

Someone named Andre Schneider wrote (and produced, and acted in) both movies, so I'm going to add his name to my surprisingly short list of people whose work I will avoid like the plague from now on.

But if you saw and loved Alex and Leo, you doubtless will love this, its apparent sequel, too. Or, as I said, if the idea of the Three Stooges as gay Germans in love sends you rolling in the floor, you must not let this gem pass you by.

German comedy.... the definition of a contradiction in terms.