Lila, Lila

This movie can be found in the streaming services under its original title Lila Lila or My Words, My Lies, My Love, surely one the most ludicrous movie titles in cinema history. The movie has many similarities to the later Hollywood production The Words (2012), although the writers of The Words claimed ignorance of Lila Lila and the novel on which it is based.

The Words is not exceptional, but Lila Lila is a far lesser movie. Daniel Bruhl plays the protagonist David Kern with his usual earnestness but he runs out of charisma after a few minutes and becomes annoying. This may not be his fault, since his lines are full of clichés. The plot is at the same time contrived and predictable and the protagonist monumentally dishonest, which prevents empathy from the viewer. Another key character, Jacky, is too obnoxious and acted over-the top. The rest of the personages (including girlfriend) are out-of-this-world naive. And, finally, the plot resolution requires a character to disappear, thus is duly disposed of (same as in The Words). A prime example of narrative dishonesty. The toxic conclusion seems to be, if you are a nobody (why a waiter has to be a nobody?) cheat and lie your way to fame, fortune and success with the ladies. Everything will be OK at the end.

I found nothing positive in this movie. A miss.

The film deals with identity and fame, and there's a sense of tension and awkwardness throughout much of the film, not limited to, but personified by Bruhl's character David Kern.

There was a lot about the film which I enjoyed, but several aspects of the film really didn't fit in terms of tone: clumsy, after-the-fact attempts to present the film as a romantic comedy (which it definitely isn't).

To give a few examples: several of the songs used in the soundtrack were much lighter and sunnier that the scenes they were matched to; the final scene of the film fit so poorly it was little short of schizophrenic (by which I mean the last 15 seconds or so). In a similar way the posters used to advertise the film are completely mismatched with the content of the film.

It was only relatively recently that I read the book that this film was based on ("Lila, Lila" by Martin Suter). Having enjoyed the book so much, I knew I would watch the film more critically than otherwise.

To finish on a positive note, I found Daniel Bruhl's interpretation of David engaging and I actually really enjoyed the plot variations in the film as opposed to the book.

Pay attention to the script from the very beginning...

I totally loved this film. Its a shame its not out in England i had to buy it on the American Amazon so i could have it with the English subtitles and wait over 2 weeks.

The film was about a waiter who never got noticed and he really liked a girl who was in to her books. Lucky he found a novel in a old bedside table and then you think the true author comes to find him. It has some good twists and turns. Daniel Bruhl is totally brilliant and so is Hannah Herzsprung. I really hope this get released in the UK so other people can enjoy it.Please watch it if you love comedy and world cinema you wont be disappointed.