Der Tränenmacher

I feel like this should've been a series or at least a longer movie, as there are too many crucial details in the book that they failed to mention in this movie. Especially a lot about Nica and Rigel's relationship wasn't really portrayed very well on screen and lacked the depth and detail present in the book, which is probably why most people rated this fairly low. I would, too, if I hadn't read the book before. Up until the middle of the movie it was pretty decent and followed the book accurately, but the rest felt incredibly rushed. I really urge people to read the book though, as it's way better than this adaption.

So. You cannot compare something like this to your Green Mile, Shawshank Redemption or Schindler's List, but if you go in thinking "hey, you know what, I fancy some sort of simple angsty drama romance with a tad more depth", you will find it meets just that.

I'm reading other reviews and they mention it's based off of a book and, when I fancy a bit of light reading that doesn't require a huge amount of brainpower, I'll be there. It feels like one of those coin-buying app novels where every chapter is a cliffhanger designed to keep you reading and written by someone who does it to pass the time but knows what's required to earn the big bucks.

Everyone is very characterised; you've got your inside, sunglasses-wearing villain with a cane, you've got the chisel-jawed, talented heartthrob brother (who isn't really your brother) as the male protagonist, you've got your strong-ish but also damsel-in-distress-ish female protagonist and you then decide to throw in your 2-Dimensional best friends who are either "just ugly" or going through "unrequited love" and boom: we got ourselves a story. I'm not going into how it insults each party, otherwise we'd be here all day, but I do simply want to say that the 2D friends just really angered me in the way they were "used". They added literally nothing to the story, just thrown in there for the sake of it and maybe to seem "more edgy". Hence, insulting.

I'm glad I read the reviews first because then I knew what I was walking into. I'll be honest, I saw more chemistry between these two main characters than the actors who were the leads in "One Day". Shoot me, if you will, but that's my honest opinion. The music was actually top-notch. Again, very angsty, very teenage-drama, and it hit the nail on the head for what it was aiming to be. Whack in some moody lighting and some - actually, honestly - pretty well-filmed cinematography and you've got yourself a reasonable watch.

Others have compared it to Twilight and I can't help but agree. In fact, I'd go as far to say that the acting of the main protagonists was actually better (in this, there was more lip-biting from the guy than the gal in comparison).

Dissecting what the writer likely would label as the "deep and meaningful" part of their story regarding what they went through as children...it's a gentle subject for an awful lot of people, so this is where it's important to acknowledge the mark. Do I think it was highlighted as an important, deep and meaningful part of the storyline? No. The focus here was the romance and chemistry of our two protagonists. Then the rest of the issues were written around it to boost their relationship. If it meant to come across as the main point being victims finally standing up and calling out their abusers as the main subject, it fails. Because from what I saw, it's just about how two people came to love and support each other despite their awful upbringings.

Once you bring it down to that, I have to say, it was actually "alright". I won't be watching it again anytime soon, unless I'm wanting something on in the background as I paint my house's living room walls. I'm pleased, however, for those who found it particularly enjoyable because at the end of the day, each to their own and if you want to read further into the message (which is literally explained over and over again in a post-recorded narration because it presumes we're all stupid) then fair enough. Your passion is your passion.

I will say that it doesn't deserve below a 4 star review - even if you hated it, and I can empathise - because the casting, lighting, cinematography and (some of the) acting was actually not that bad.

Give it a shot if you're feeling poorly and taking a day off school or work.

I have no idea why this movie received terrible reviews. It was good with the potential to be more, but overall was entertaining to watch.

In all honesty I never read the book, so I can't compare it to that, but I feel like there could have been a little more character developement.

The plot was overall good, and I want to see more movies like this!

For a young adult dark romance it wasn't bad at all! I understand it may not be everyone niche but they didn't do a terrible job portraying the dynamic between the two leads.

For the ones who left terrible reviews, like wtf, we've all seen worse and this was no where near bad. Why the heck did you put the movie on and watch it through if it "was that cringey". Jerks.

This didn't evoke emotions at all! It has the corniest most awkward and unrealistic lines, cliche and very predictable events, bad acting, stupid court scene, and what the hell kind of ending is that? If this is from a famous book which i haven't read, then this is the worst adaptation ever. This is the worst movie I've seen so far this year! A total waste of time! And who the hell dubbed it in English? The way the lines were delivered was so offputting, unnatural, and just plain weird. It made the actors look bad in acting. I dont know if it's the dubbing that's weird, or the actors. The directors did really bad in the way the entire movie was put together. The music background, the shots, the acting, the lines, the interpretation. It's bad enough that the plot sucks and has no originality but the fact that I am such a crybaby who could easily cry at the most trivial things and fall in love with the simplest things, yet this movie did not move me in any way and just basically transformed me into a stonehearted human being. The only emotion this movie unleashed from inside of me is anger. I am so disappointed for wasting my time!

I don't understand all the bad reviews - It's a good movie. Is it Oscar worthy? No of course not. Is it predictable? Yes but why be upset about it. Surely most people who watched or plan to watch the movie knew/know exactly what they were getting themselves into, so why be so hypocritical. This movie is watchable and a great way to escape reality for 2 hours. The dark cinematography adds a mysterious element and with an attractive cast, it goes well together. If you're not into dark romantic movies, then you should move along to something else. If you're going to watch it, just lower your expectations and enjoy the cheese.