A veces es difícil ser un hombre

I'm a fan of films that have more than just the usual action or slapstick comedy and I was pleasantly surprised by this gamble at the video store. The film kept me entertained with it's original plot and timeless themes. It's about a cop who, after being dumped and thrown out of his apartment by his fiancé, getting drunk, and waking up in the arms of Edgar, is forced to question his own sexuality and the prejudices that have long been a part of his life. I recommend this movie to anyone because, even though it deals with homosexuality, it is not a "gay film" and even despite a rather "picture perfect" ending, I found it delightful throughout.

I have already seen a plenty of comedies about police men, macho men being dumped by girlfriend and then becoming sensible, men questionning their sexuality or a movie covering all those categories. But I have never seen such a pleasant comedy offering very clever funny situations and jokes as well as moving moments. There is one scene in this movie which, during the shot, made the crew on the set cry. I won't tell which scene it is, maybe you'll discover it by yourself, only so much: It's a dialogue which marks the end of something. I don't know how well the translation of the movie into English is, but everybody who understands German and gets the opportunity to see it in German - do it. It's very entertaining and definitely worth watching it!

(Note: the movie was released in late 2003 in the USA on DVD with excellent subtitles.)

Despite being a sexist pig, the cop Chris Schwenk has likeable qualities -- it helps to be cute as well as off-balance, off-balance because he is bewildered to find himself living with a gay man (Edgar) with whom he may or may not have had drunken sex, and at the same time he's reluctantly drawn to a highly competent and attractive female colleague whom he resents and who (unnervingly) sees him for what he is and says so. Along the way there are varied opportunities for confusions and misunderstandings (it's a comedy, after all) that disconcert both the characters and the audience. No question Chris comes to be very fond of Edgar, for example, but the movie shrewdly makes it hard to tell how fond, and fond in what way -- and despite the fact that Edgar is somewhat mixed up in shady matters (is his garage really a chop-shop, as he jokingly claims? And what is a policeman to do about it?). All the principal characters are decidedly likeable, and even some of the minor ones such as Edgar's sophisticated and unflappable mother. The ending is a bit of a surprise, but a pleasant one, and upon reflection shouldn't be that much of a surprise anyhow (there are clues and hints sprinkled around, beforehand). By the way, there's frontal nudity (male) and naked men in a bed (and a bathtub) together, and a scene where Chris and Helen (the cop) are, well, doing what cops do (copulate -- har), but only a serious prude would be offended by any of it. A minor film without doubt, but droll and touching and well made.

Christoph M. Ohrt (who resembles a very young Richard Johnson) is outstanding in the lead role of a rather insensitive cop who suddenly finds his entire ego eroding when his girlfriend dumps him for a bodybuilder. This confused state of affairs is precipitated by his classic "god was I drunk last night" syndrome stemming from the fact that he wakes up one morning in bed and in the arms of a bigger and younger man who quite honesty declares he's in love with him! It is truly priceless to watch Ohrt's character deal with this...as he retreats into himself and gradually changes his nature...his only way of attempting to understand this forces him to be more observant and tolerant of others as he comes to learn more about himself. It's a painful and even a humorous situation which compromises him more than once, and in its unfolding imparts a great deal of joy and pleasure (entertainment!) to viewers. This comedic gem should not be overlooked. And hopefully, we will see much more of the delightful Mr. Orht in future.

A cool fun film. Rarely is a gay-themed movie interesting in it's entirety, and this one delivers. It's a contemporary story of a cop, a bit down on his luck, and where circumstances lead him, and how it changes his life and friends; all with good humor and fun. Perhaps it's not as slick as most Hollywood fare; but then Hollywood could never handle the sensitivity and characters of this story. Sure, you have to read subtitles, but the dialog is direct, intelligent, funny, and always moving this tale forward; so one quickly gets caught up in this story. With an easy-on-the-eyes cast, and some beefcake; whether you are gay, straight, or just confused, you're gonna like it.