A fake 40's movie in black and white?
Added 9/13/2009
This movie kind of struck me as an anti-Casablanca:Casablanca
Instead of everybody being good and noble, we have the American
behaving at times like Nazis in this film.
This story is about a 1946 Berlin where the people are living in the ruins
and the GI's are kings.
The jeep driver thinks he has hit real pay dirt
when it turns out his German girl friend -prostitute
is married to someone both the Russians and Americans want.
But the newspaper reporter he is driving also remembers her
from before the war. Lena is a case of survival at any cost
and pretty much hates herself worse than anyone else could,
yet men makes fools of themselves over her.
The acting is pretty good and the movie almost convinces you
that this was the 40's again.
Even the end is the same as Casablanca with an airplane leaving,
but what is between sort makes you wonder who really won that war?
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
Interesting, But Ultimately Confusing And Dirty (For A Black-And-White), Movie. Good Acting, Though.
Added 9/7/2009
Steven Soderbergh's "Homage" to black-and-white movies is interesting, in that it has an intriguing plot which unfortunately gets muddled in the middle and ultimately goes nowhere. Also, it was very dirty for a black-and-white movie. Sex, nudity, language and graphic violence are thrown in to make this movie appealing for a modern audience. What a stupid ploy to cater to the degenerate tastes of filmgoers. Try watching "Casablanca," "Double Indemnity," "King Kong" or any film made in the 1930's, 1940's or 1950's to see how black-and-white movies were made and what they're about. Very good plots...and NO sex, nudity, language or graphic violence. (And all these movies made money too...and some even were nominated for, and sometimes won, Academy Awards; and people still watch these beautiful movies nowadays). Don't waste your time with this movie. "A good cast does not a good movie make." All too true with "Scarface" and this movie. Rated R, but it should not have been made in the first place.
0 out of 1 people found this helpful.
|
Offbeat thriller experiment is worth a look
Added 8/18/2009
The story in "The Good German" is a little dry and long, but if you have any predisposition to enjoy a layered tale of wartime intrigue, you'll make it through okay. The real selling point, though, is the wonderful production design and gorgeous black & white photography, the latter seen in generous widescreen glory (after the opening credits, which tease you into thinking you'll be forced to watch the movie in the boxy aspect ratio of actual 1940's movies). Ultimately, what's, well... good about "The Good German" is that it doesn't settle for being a well-produced pastiche of old wartime movies, but says a few compelling things about the ways otherwise decent people are willing to behave in situations when they feel their backs are against the wall. Problematic in some ways, "The Good German" is absolutely recommended at least as a rental. The DVD looks and sounds great, though there are no extra features.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
Not like the book
Added 6/20/2009
On what planet did they make this movie? It is so different from the book, e.g. Lena and Renate are combined into one character which completely changes Lena's relationship with Jake. I thought the book was an excellent read and was so looking forward to seeing it as a movie -- total disappointment! And when George Clooney isn't getting beat up, he looks jowly and worn-out. If you liked the book, don't bother with the movie!
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
The Good German got better!
Added 5/25/2009
George Clooney, to me and only to me, is not such a good actor (my apology to his millions of fans) but every now and then he surprises me. In "The Good German" Clooney is more than competent and reveals a side to his acting not usually seen, and produces a convincing performance as Captain Geismar, who tries to unravel a murder mystery and to come to grips with his own emotions. Is this a film for everyone? Not at all, but those who enjoy the reality of film noir and superb directing will revel in this film.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
A fake 40's movie in black and white?
Added 9/13/2009
This movie kind of struck me as an anti-Casablanca:Casablanca
Instead of everybody being good and noble, we have the American
behaving at times like Nazis in this film.
This story is about a 1946 Berlin where the people are living in the ruins
and the GI's are kings.
The jeep driver thinks he has hit real pay dirt
when it turns out his German girl friend -prostitute
is married to someone both the Russians and Americans want.
But the newspaper reporter he is driving also remembers her
from before the war. Lena is a case of survival at any cost
and pretty much hates herself worse than anyone else could,
yet men makes fools of themselves over her.
The acting is pretty good and the movie almost convinces you
that this was the 40's again.
Even the end is the same as Casablanca with an airplane leaving,
but what is between sort makes you wonder who really won that war?
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
Interesting, But Ultimately Confusing And Dirty (For A Black-And-White), Movie. Good Acting, Though.
Added 9/7/2009
Steven Soderbergh's "Homage" to black-and-white movies is interesting, in that it has an intriguing plot which unfortunately gets muddled in the middle and ultimately goes nowhere. Also, it was very dirty for a black-and-white movie. Sex, nudity, language and graphic violence are thrown in to make this movie appealing for a modern audience. What a stupid ploy to cater to the degenerate tastes of filmgoers. Try watching "Casablanca," "Double Indemnity," "King Kong" or any film made in the 1930's, 1940's or 1950's to see how black-and-white movies were made and what they're about. Very good plots...and NO sex, nudity, language or graphic violence. (And all these movies made money too...and some even were nominated for, and sometimes won, Academy Awards; and people still watch these beautiful movies nowadays). Don't waste your time with this movie. "A good cast does not a good movie make." All too true with "Scarface" and this movie. Rated R, but it should not have been made in the first place.
0 out of 1 people found this helpful.
|
Offbeat thriller experiment is worth a look
Added 8/18/2009
The story in "The Good German" is a little dry and long, but if you have any predisposition to enjoy a layered tale of wartime intrigue, you'll make it through okay. The real selling point, though, is the wonderful production design and gorgeous black & white photography, the latter seen in generous widescreen glory (after the opening credits, which tease you into thinking you'll be forced to watch the movie in the boxy aspect ratio of actual 1940's movies). Ultimately, what's, well... good about "The Good German" is that it doesn't settle for being a well-produced pastiche of old wartime movies, but says a few compelling things about the ways otherwise decent people are willing to behave in situations when they feel their backs are against the wall. Problematic in some ways, "The Good German" is absolutely recommended at least as a rental. The DVD looks and sounds great, though there are no extra features.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
