25 km/h

I loved this movie. Seeing love between brothers, with the ugly side of a rivalry. Two brothers that could not be more different but still bound by their family. Many people will relate! It is pure joy to see these two men showing a great span of emotions. Taking a trip through Germany. Seeing many beautiful places. Developing the characters throughout the whole movie. No cliche. No cringe. A daring story of love between men without becoming gay. The world needs more of those movies. Inspirational, important and totally enjoyable. Takes this ride which starts dark but ends with beautiful lesson.

While I generally liked the movie, I am a bit split what is the more ridiculous idea:

• that Lars Eidinger and Bjarne Mädel were raised in the rural Black Forest (unless their father was not a local farmer as in the story, but rather an immigrant from Hamburg), or
• that 2 50-cc 2-stroke mopeds that have been in a garage for 30 years would easily start again.

A warmly beautiful film, but two dissimilar brothers and the journey of a lifetime. You could say a typically German film. Sometimes a bit posed, sometimes a little too serious, but always entertaining and in the middle of life. Good music is included. A feel-good road movie.

I had great expectation watching this movie since Bjarne Mädel and Lars Eidinger are two of my favorite actors.

And yes, it was nice and quite entertaining to watch.

But somehow also a little flat and incoherent.

Also the two main actors played nice, I somehow did not believe they were two brothers from the 'Schwarzwald'.

Georg and Christian are brothers who grew up together in a small provincial town. Christian left many decades ago to make a success of himself and Georg remained where they grew up to look after their ailing father. When the brothers are reunited during their father's funeral they decide to put their differences aside in order to fullfil their childhood dream - to travel across country to the Baltic Sea. Riding their old motorbikes no faster than 25 kilometres per hour they have many adventures, while rediscovering life and each other, on the road that leads them to some unexpected places.

It is not the first time the director Markus Koller tells the story of two very different brothers, but this time it's a lighthearted comedy as breezy and light as a motorbike ride. Looking ridiculous, but also kind of cool, in their funeral suits Georg (Bjarne Madel) and Christian (Lars Edinger) have a real onscreen chemistry. Their awkward love/hate relationship will remind you of people you know. Add some picturesque landscapes, a dreamy soundtrack and real life comic situations and you get an inspired film with a real heart.

The patchwork of quirky characters never lets the story get boring and seeing Franka Potente in a small role was a true delight.

There's nothing particularly original about 25 km/h but it is a real gem of a road movie that will put a smile on your face.