3

.....strangely philosophical and sometimes wondrous take on the Lives & Loves of men and women in today's world. BUT, hold on a sec...hasn't the behavior being shown to us likely EVER been so....even in humankind's earliest days, in the dark protectiveness of caves? ....Well, whether that is the case or not--right now--today, a most perceptive Director of Film (Tom Tykwer) is giving us a stripped bare view into the lives of 2 Men and 1 Woman....the "3" making up this proverbial TRIANGLE. So, Dear Viewer, you need only sit back...relax...then watch and see: ....Their discovery, first, of love with one another---then, finally, their reaching a loving-union of the "3".

I cannot tell you that the Male-Female Hook-up (can we call it "illicit") being shown us is any differently played out than in 100s of movie stories which have come before. BUT...on the other hand, and strikingly so...it is in the Male / Male "Connection" where you will find the Difference in this film. For in a mainstream production such as this, rarely will you ever see shown Physically Realistic (and Tender) lovemaking between 2 men....presented in such a forthright manner. Devid Striesow ("Adam") and Sebastian Schipper ("Simon") absolutely "ZING" in their scenes together. The word, Hot, does not describe it; though if written as HOT, perhaps it begins to do so. (WORD OF ADVICE: Director Tykwer's use of "split screen" techniques throughout, sometimes showing 4 to 6 activities occurring in one scene/shot, makes some of the "HOT actions" a bit difficult to follow and fully enjoy. Better you watch on video....rather than in the theater.)

As to this movie's performers and their abilities, these "3" actors are highly competent and experienced (extensive film histories)....though perhaps not at the level of paparazzi-pursued, top tier German celebs. YET, what they truly give to us is BELIEVABILITY....bringing viewers to the point of SUDDENLY realizing their characters' origin: ....Perhaps from Earth's First Garden---but here, in our world today, we are being given a "Hanna"....a "Simon"....and, most especially, "The Enticer". So, this Enticer; what can be said about him? Well, maybe just this, Reader Mine: ....When your self-image is at its lowest...and your need to be desired is at its highest.....just stop and look around you. HE's out there, close by....waiting, waiting to enfold you in Tenderness and Excitement. Waiting to make the rest of your life its Happiest.

I'll say Goodbye to you now...upon leaving this Garden of "3". And concede that this story may contain instances of over-dramatized familial and midlife crises---not to mention startling images of a male medical procedure. Nevertheless, this is a work which I will be re-watching on a somewhat regular basis---concentrating on the Male / Male action, of course. (Uh..oh).

PS: For those interested, see the excellent Devid Striesow in the very good and "gay-tinged" 2004 film production: "BEFORE THE FALL". That is, IF you can find it available as a rental; used DVD copies are going for a high price. Oh, and for something very "different"...but very well done (in a "straight" love story mode), try Tykwer's 2002 "HEAVEN" (Cate Blanchett). You, likely, will not be sorry.

****

Unusual and, at the same time, uplifting story. Great acting and a well-directed movie. I am not sure if everyone who watched it will be touched in the same way I was, but -if people can overcome their stereotypes and simply enjoy the film- it will leave them with positive feelings and make them reflect on it long after the ending credits have rolled up. The story is not about your typical next door married couple that enters their middle-age era with all its fears, frustrations, joys, sorrows and life-changing truths. It is that same story but with an unexpected twist and a touching end. I am a happy gay man in a stable civil partnership. After a long period of a loving, monogamous and joyful 'marriage' we stepped into the same twilight zone of middle age, which evoked many questions, doubts and ridiculous thoughts. At the same time, and by some strange twist of fate, we met our Adam in real life and both developed feelings for him. Ever since we live in our own ménage à trios, which gives us many happy moments, pleasures and helps us to re-discovered ourselves.

One reviewer described it as painfully slow and full of empty self importance. I would say that Tom Tykwer cleverly combined some scenes without dialogue -but with much deeper meaning- with other elements that are very dynamic, colorful, erotically-charged or simply entertaining. The soundtrack gives it a perfect final touch. Brilliant photography.

If people think that they will miraculously skip their middle age in life, they should avoid this movie. Since that is biologically impossible -- watch the movie and you may learn something about the most fundamental issues that life brings half way down the road. Highly recommended!

This one is a typical movie from Tom Tykwer, but one of his best. Is it constructed? Of course, it is fiction, paired with really good dialogue and performances. I don't know if it will be shown in English, but if you understand the language you should watch it in German. The movie is well crafted like one piece, everything fits perfectly together: the cinematography / the cutting, the music, the plot, the pace and the meaning. It has some scenes with black humour in it, but not too many. And although it deals with fundamental questions of life / death, relationships and sexual orientation, I left the cinema in an uplifted mood. Recommended for people who like Tom-Tykwer- or menage-à-trois-movies (e.g. "Threesome", "Jules and Jim").

Hanna with Simon, Simon with Adam, Adam with Hanna. A movie about polyamourous relationships made by one of the best German directors.

Tom Tykwer (Lola Rennt) made a movie, which at first started like the typical pretentious artsy festival prize contestants. It felt like a mixture of "Goodbye Lenin" and "Das merkwürdige Verhalten geschlechtsreifer Paare...". But then at some point the plot got intense and had some smoking intimate scenes not suitable for the faint hearted. In the end it's about adults exploring their borders in face of illness, death and birth.

Berlin shines as cultural background, although I am not that big a fan of such cultural happenings. The actors are great and do their job with great dignity, which is not that easy given the difficult to approach topic.

It is obvious that Hanna and Simon, as a couple, have reached the steady state of true love, a deep true love. But it is a steady state... probably too steady. So when each other, separately, meets the handsome Adam, they re-discover passion.

It is a slow movie as we have to discover how the characters are feeling lonely without actually expressing it. Hanna and Simon are a couple but they feel lonely each other. They both meet Adam, on different circumstances, and feel attracted to him. It is true that Adam has everything for him: he is good-looking, he practices some sports, go out, have casual sex... but at the end of the day, he is still lonely. As a proof, his apartment looks like a hospital room.

This movie is about joining each other's loneliness to build a true relationship. But how does it happen? That is the interesting part.