Der Architekt

At the start of this drama an architect is told about the death of his mother. Having grown apart from her he isn't in the biggest rush to go out to the far away little village to bury her but his wife pushes him on and they go anyway - father, mother and two kids. Once there it becomes clear that there are more things going on than should be - parts of the past of the man get out in the open and not of all of them are nice ones.

And with that this dramatic story of a family begins. It doesn't take any effort to predict where it all will end but the way to get there is more than entertaining enough to keep the film interesting. Life isn't necessarily beautiful - it's a series of happenings and choices and sometimes the ending result of those make sure that people that once decided to stay together for the rest of their lives do no longer wish to do so. This film clearly shows what happens when one does not take the full responsibility for a mistake after it is made. It's a fairly painful message, and a long lingering dark after thought.

7 out of 10 broken homes

Excellent movie. It starts funny, then gets weird, and ends sad. The plot follows a straight line from the city into the mountains, and from everyday tedium to singular despair. The story proceeds as if by necessity, yet it's never predictable. Almost all characters are damaged and twisted in fascinating ways. Working with an outstanding ensemble of first-rate actors, Ina Weisse makes us take them at face value. In no time at all, these creeps feel like you've known them forever, or you're one of them. Hannah, a single working mom in a backward village, technically gets the worst deal, but makes the best of it. Played by the amazing Sophie Rois, she turns out the most likable in my book. But they all have their perks. Josef Bierbichler, in the part of the crippled patriarch, is obviously a giant. Hilde Van Mieghem is great as his snotty, frustrated wife. Sandra Hüller, of "Requiem" fame, brings their unhappy over-achiever of a daughter to life in exciting ways. Matthias Schweighöfer, whom I can't stand in most movies, sheds new light on the age-old part of the prodigal son. Go see with family. It's a family movie, but not the way you think. Not at all. - Writer-director Ina Weisse is an established actress, but this is her first feature-length film. I hope there's more to come.

"Der Architekt" tells an interesting variation of the old story of a family confronted with serious trouble caused by underlying interpersonal problems and a "dark" secret from the past. This is always a good basis for a psychological drama.

However, pretty much of it is exaggerated and overacted (which is, by the way and IMHO, still typical of German cinema: "Real" people simply don't behave the same way as most of the on-screen characters). And many metaphors/symbols are simply carried too far (e.g., the name "Winter" for the troubled lead character stumping through the all-present discomforting winter landscape).

Josef Bierbichler is really great, but the rest of the cast can't keep up with him. This is especially true of the currently way overrated Matthias Schweighöfer. He should really take some acting classes in order to get rid of his mannerisms (e.g., constant grimacing); his performance is plain awful.