Drei

An extremely playful and sensitive, a very funny and very political movie. The story of a couple falling in love with the same man serves as a surface to discuss fundamental themes of our time: the biological and the ethical side of human life, the determinist way we still see our sexuality and gender, the ways in which we define our selves in a time with shifting foundations, the chance of love in a society with almost no boundaries. The extraordinary performance of the three main characters meet a style of directing that is not afraid of unconventional ideas, like for example a metaphorical dance scene in a white space by Sasha Walz in the beginning or a short scene of a sundown with funny music, which seams completely out of context, but is instantly commented with a laughter in the audience. But aside from being entertaining and intelligent, it also invokes a kind of sexual utopia: it encourages us, to see our sexuality, our love, our gender and ourselves in a more tolerant, open and free way.

This is, without a doubt, the best German movie i have seen in years.

.....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.

****

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.

Writer/director Tom Twyker (Run Lola Run, Perfume, Heaven, The International. Paris, je t'aime) is proving to be one of the most fearless and creative talents in film today. He knows how to create strange stories that take us by surprise, present them with excellent actors, selects and composes musical scores that are as perfect as any being created, introduces just enough philosophy and scientific investigation into timely topics to challenge our brains, and tops it off with inventive photography - superimposing split screens that enhance not only the progress of the story but also allow the presentation of brief glimpses of 'dangerous' ideas that stirs the cauldron to boiling.

3 is a fascinating tale. Simon (Sebastian Schipper) is an artistic architect who works with sculptors to bring their art into being. He is in a longterm relationship with Hanna (Sophie Rois) who is a television journalist cum scientist who is widely popular in their hometown of Berlin. Simon and Hanna are in their forties and deeply in love. Simon is informed that his mother has advanced pancreatic carcinoma and when his mother attempts suicide with an overdose and fails, she is brain dead, supported on machines. Simon stays at her bedside while Hanna continues her line of investigation about new stem cell theories, attending lectures by the handsome Adam (Devid Striesow) - a married man with children who leads a separate life of clandestine but short-lived gay affairs. Simon's mother dies and Simon is diagnosed with testicular carcinoma, undergoes an orchiectomy and begins chemotherapy, losing his hair in the process. All of this he shares with Hanna: the two decide they probably should marry and Hanna wants children while Simon thinks world timing is poor for starting a family (he is also aware of the fact that his operation and chemotherapy may represent the end of his sexuality and fertility).

Though devoted to Simon, Hanna is attracted to Adam and finds ways to be near him. Soon they are in a physical love affair. Simon recovers his disease by swimming in a beautiful Berlin gym where he quite incidentally meets Adam, shares his operation with the stranger in the locker room, and Adam proceeds to demonstrate that Simon is indeed not impotent! Simon has new feelings aroused, and he and Adam begin a love affair. Hanna and Simon get married but still each of them has feelings for Adam. When Hanna discovers she is pregnant the story spins to its conclusion and the triptych of the title is established.

This film is subtle but frank, explores sexuality in an open and honest way exploring themes relevant to our time: the biological and the ethical side of human life, the determinist way of viewing our sexuality and gender, the ways in which we define our selves in a time with shifting mores, the chance of love in a society with few if any boundaries. Love affairs as demonstrated between Hanna and Simon, Hanna and Adam, and Simon and Adam are treated equally and sensitively.

The three primary actors are excellent as is the entire cast. The cinematography and film manipulation by Frank Griebe (with Twyker) and the musical score Reinhold Heil, Johnny Klimek, Gabriel Isaac Mounsey, and Tom Tykwer (with a little help form Debussy and others!) is splendid. This is a first class film and deserves the attention of a very wide audience. It is likely to be one of those films that grows in stature with the passage of time.

Grady Harp

Tom Tykwer maybe started the new German film wonder by "Run, Lola run". He loves to hate mondaine Berlin people. Here is the couple fits into all descriptions. She's the anchor of philosophy TV show. He's the owner of a contemporary art promotion business.

Not being aware of it, they meet the same man, who seduces them both. They both get ridiculous, without being aware of that either. But the passions seem real, through all broken perfection.

So we can laugh at Berlin, but does that matter? For a while perhaps, but not after leaving the theater. And maybe that's what Tom Tykwer wants.