Contra

This movie is a german remake (directed by Sonke Wortmann) of the french original Le brio. This remake is well done and shines with the superb acting by Nilam Farooq. The storyline is set up early, much of it through images. Yet the movie is not subtle on a cinematic level alone, the whole story is based around rhetoric on the one hand and racism on the other, prejudices on one side and brilliance of roses that grew from concrete (not giving immigrants the same opportunities) on the other. A must watch and with the unfortunate often low quality of german movie productions this one definitely is a very nice piece. Commendable.

No pun intended - Christoph Maria Herbst is on top of his game ... he clearly has the mightier than though down to a ... I am not sure what a professor would call it? But he nails it - while you could argue he is pigeon holed (I think that is what it's called when someone seems to be playing a variation of the same person/character) ... he is so good in doing just that ... that you clearly should not mind him doing just that.

The movie is meant to be the vehicle for the female star - but while they seem to be at the opposite side of the spectrum ... and they are quite different (not just background wise) ... they do need each other. I do not think the movie has many surprises for the viewer ... but it is told in a very interesting and well thought of manner ... and it works on exactly the level it tries to connect with the viewer. Tried to watch it in cinemas back then, but was not able to ... caught it on the web (streaming)

Finally a nice, high-quality and funny movie with Christoph Maria Herbst, as "usual" with pithy sayings as a convinced cynic who says what many think, but above all Nilam Farooq does a really great job, she really inspired me. Although the main theme of racism, equal opportunities and prejudice uses the usual clichés, it succeeds here in an entertaining, funny and also touching way and lives from the dialog. Not over the top or silly, but addresses the seriousness in an ironic way. The setting of a university with a debating competition and the battle themes is refreshing. Really a nice surprise.

------------- Conclusion: Worth seeing.

This could have been an amazing movie. It is nicely shot, music and scenery well done. It is over all enjoyable, don't get me wrong. But the movie script must read like it was written for the male lead Christoph Maria Herbst. And that is the problem of the movie. The surrounding characters are so cliché drenched and roughly skatched - it makes you wonder if the authors didn't have enough time to finish the script.

I'm sure they cast great actors, but especially Naima's circle of friends show a pretty distorted image of those young adults. The script missed a great story line here and leaves the actors with lines so weak, they end up looking like they are performing sketches about Ghetto kids.

To close on a positive note: I felt like they walked the thin line quite well of using the male lead's degrading language and racial slurs. So if you see it on Netflix or free Tv - enjoy the evening and maybe iron your laundry while watching it. But it isn't really movie theater material from my perspective.