Goodbye Berlin

This is based on a renowned novel for young readers (which I didn't read) and was turned into a motion picture by what is arguably right now Germany's most famous director, Faith Akin. For that I thought it was a surprisingly conventional film, although one with a lot of charm. Maik is a fourteen year old with fairly average problems: To his utter bewilderment, the attention of the most beautiful girl of his class eludes him (at this age, as a boy, I can attest that you are usually after girls which are totally out of your league), his father is emotionally distant (not that in puberty you have the need for long evening walks with your dad), his mother has a problem with drink (or never being able to get enough of the stuff). Not that I would have complained to have the run of the house for two full weeks after dad had handed over a nice wad of cash to me. Maybe the scenario of the affluent, but uncaring family has kind of lost its edge over the years. I had a distinct feeling of feeling more sorry for the father who didn't get a lot of gratitude for providing a luxury villa for his family, and who had to struggle with a wife who is yoyoing back and forth to rehab, and a pubescent son.

Luckily, there are plenty of elements of "charming oddity" such as the epic, empty landscapes of the Mark Brandenburg, or the boys listening to Richard Clayderman on the stolen car's cassette player.

This is not a review, but my personal opinion on the movie as someone who loved the book. The movie does not manage to reproduce any of the books charm. If you love the book, do yourself a favor and do not watch the movie.

Even if I had not read the book, I'm quite sure that I still wouldn't have like the movie that much. There is really nothing special to it. The story itself is nothing without the style, in which the book is written. The acting also kind of sucks.

Sorry to say, and it is probably not true, but it just does not feel like any of them cared for the book very much.

If you have not read the book, read it, if you have not watched the movie, keep it that way.

Two unlikely heroes (or anti heroes) find each other. The only two boys who are not invited to the hottest (birthday) party of their class. A Young Adult movie based on a book (that I haven't read by the way) that clearly gets the spirit of young boys in one of their most vulnerable times.

You may think that some of the things the boys do are annoying. But boys are not always rational. And if you really think about it, the grown ups are making bigger mistakes. Mistakes they shouldn't do and things to other people they shouldn't be doing. Some things are only suggested (adultery), others are out in the open (alcohol abuse). It's not just light fun, there is also drama. And comedy of course. This works on many levels not just for young people growing up. It is a movie that takes you on a trip ...

Awesome teenage adventure film. Great acting! The comedy is so warmhearted and situational that u end up wanting to like the film more.

German road movie about two teenage boys going on German roads during summer vacations. It is a simple movie but very well executed and with a great cast. It makes you want to become young and fearless again, nostalgia, nostalgia, always a powerful sentiment. In background it tackles important topics including dysfunctional families and races.