Familienfest

Excellent, very dark German film about a family reunion. In a good way, this is Germany's answer to "Festen". And bizarrely, one of Germany's greatest romantic couples, Tscharlie (Günther Maria Halmer) and Susi (Michaela May) from the 1970ies TV series "Münchner Gechichten" are finally reunited, forty years after. They are married and preparing to celebrate Hannes' (Halmer) seventieth birthday. He has three three sons with an ex-wife, who are all showing up for the big day. Halmer plays again (or still) a witty cynic, but this time a world-renowned pianist who finally resides in a worthy abode (a Grunewald castle), and May's character Anne still has a heart as wide and deep as the Starnberger See. And both again nail their roles. As do all the other actors, the alcoholic mother and ex (played by Hannelore Elsner), the sons and their spouses. Everything looks light-hearted and happy at the beginning, then suddenly shots are fired, and ultimately the film turns into a drama.