Slapstick but enjoyable
The film had some fairly great elements like interesting characters and a relatable plot but I thought that the nervous breakdown/mid-life crisis should have been toned down a bit.
I liked the opening flash forward because it gives you an idea of where the film is heading and means you pay attention to the character development. I liked that the main character (Axel Stein) had flaws and behaved like ordinary men his age. I also liked the co-lead Moritz Bleibtreu as I've seen him in a number of films and he's always great.
The gist of the plot is that Till (Axel) is not happy with how his life has ended up and he feels frustrated. His marriage isn't going so well and after an unforgettable encounter with Nappo (Moritz) he starts to let loose. Crazy events ensue and things unfold pretty much how you might expect.
I did enjoy the film and it has a lot of good points such as the interesting camera techniques employed to give us a unique perspective during the crazy night in Amsterdam, a fair few laughs and great acting. However, Till became extraordinarily annoying part way through the film, to the point where I became physically angry! I felt that he and Nappo needed more opportunities to bond because it didn't fit that Nappo's character would warm to him so easily. A few guitar jams didn't seem believable to change Nappo into the kind of person who did what he did during the film. I also felt that the film would have benefited from more interaction between Till and his wife or flashbacks showing how they met and why they fell in love in the first place.
It's a good time filler and perfect for German-language learners but it could have been a lot better.
6/10
I liked the opening flash forward because it gives you an idea of where the film is heading and means you pay attention to the character development. I liked that the main character (Axel Stein) had flaws and behaved like ordinary men his age. I also liked the co-lead Moritz Bleibtreu as I've seen him in a number of films and he's always great.
The gist of the plot is that Till (Axel) is not happy with how his life has ended up and he feels frustrated. His marriage isn't going so well and after an unforgettable encounter with Nappo (Moritz) he starts to let loose. Crazy events ensue and things unfold pretty much how you might expect.
I did enjoy the film and it has a lot of good points such as the interesting camera techniques employed to give us a unique perspective during the crazy night in Amsterdam, a fair few laughs and great acting. However, Till became extraordinarily annoying part way through the film, to the point where I became physically angry! I felt that he and Nappo needed more opportunities to bond because it didn't fit that Nappo's character would warm to him so easily. A few guitar jams didn't seem believable to change Nappo into the kind of person who did what he did during the film. I also felt that the film would have benefited from more interaction between Till and his wife or flashbacks showing how they met and why they fell in love in the first place.
It's a good time filler and perfect for German-language learners but it could have been a lot better.
6/10
- MovieSonic
- Jan 23, 2015