Long Hello and Short Goodbye

Interesting film that I think will stand the test of time, or at least be more appreciated as the years pass than it was on its initial release. Lots of flashy camera tricks to go along with the plot twists and killer conclusion. I just looked up the American version someone else mentioned and found out that Hilary Swank [Oscar-winner for "Boys Don't Cry"] is going to star. Wow! That should be something. But this film is well worth your time. Rainer Kaufmann is called the "German Brian DePalma." Now you can see why.

Excuse my English but this is a great German film called "Long Hello and Short Goodbye" by Rainer Kaufmann who also directed "The Pharmacist." This film is made very beautiful and thrilling to see, with exciting performances from the gorgeous Nicolette Krebitz. There are twists and turns, laughs, and a great shoot-out at the end. What I like too is that it says something about the human condition but says so in this telling of a modern film noir. If you like "Bonnie and Clyde" and "Pulp Fiction" this is the way that I can think only to describe what Rainer Kaufmann has done here. I will give this film five stars for the twists and turns of the plot, three stars for humor and sexiness of the bed scenes, four stars for mood and tension and pacing, five stars for the look and beauty. All in all I say it gets a 4.5/5.0...and so Dietrich says to see it now!

I have rarely seen a film that was so rewarding in many ways, yet so disappointing in many others. It still is worth looking at.

Here is what I liked: The plot is quite original and full of surprising twists and turns, crossing and double-crossing. The pace of the whole film is excellent, like you're watching a John Carpenter movie (one of his earlier works, that is...). The finale is a masterpiece. Great camera work, great editing. Lots of images you won't forget. Superb performances by all the supporting actors and actresses. One of the best main title sequences I've ever seen. Great score.

And here is what I hated: Krebitz is totally miscast as an undercover police officer. You can not believe anything she does or says. The costumes for Krebitz are ridiculous, making her look more like modeling for sexy beach wear. She's always nice to look at, though, but it does not help to make her character believable. There's absolutely no chemistry between Hosemann and Krebitz, no sparkles. There are quite a few giant plot holes, badly covered. Most of the dialogue is so badly written that it hurts your ears.

All in all, a movie both to love and hate...

A friend of mine gave me this movie because I was always a big fan of the American script, which I first read about eight years ago, one of those scripts that keeps getting close to production, with a thousand lives. This version of the story, filmed in Germany, simplifies the structure of the original piece, and in the process actually weakens the characterization--and muddles the whole point. I mean, the script was a structural tour-de-force! Why did the German film-makers simplify it? Cold feet, I understand. But what is left is still an edgy neo-noir that polarized German audiences into "love it" or "hate it" camps. The director uses a huge arsenal of visual gimmicks including shifting depth-of-field within a shot, and the end result is cool, sexy film-making. Nicolette Krebitz rules the screen, Dietrich Hollinderbaumer oozes menace, and Sunnyi Melles and Axel Milberg steal the film in their funny supporting roles as a couple of con men. Katja Riemann shows up in an extended cameo as a hit woman. The conclusion was filmed exactly as originally written, as far as I can remember, and is really fantastic. All in all, it was a surprise and a pleasure to come across this movie, although I still have my fingers crossed for the American version some day.

This film is from my country, Germany, and is pure entertainment for people who like film noir mazes, with shifting plots and a grin on its face. My favorite from recent memory, along with Run Lola Run, this one also says something substantial about human values, wrapped up in the smooth film-making of Rainer Kaufman. The game and the style are much fun, but it also has a great love story. The last image of the film of the two [doomed?] lovers is a classic. Watch this film for me!