Report from HGW XX/7 (The Lives Of Others (DVD))

Member Name: TheChocolateLady

Product:	The Lives Of Others (DVD)
Date:	04/05/07 (463 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Compelling, well written, excellently acted, perfectly directed

Disadvantages: I heard that the English translation isn't perfect, but who cares?

The place is East Berlin, the year is 1984, and the police are listening. This time, they're observing writer Georg Dreyman (Sebastian Koch), even though his work is pro-socialism. So what's the problem? In this case, it is because the Minister of Culture has the hots for Georg's girlfriend, the lovely actress Christa-Maria Sieland (Martina Gedeck). That's enough to put top agent Wiesler (Ulrich Mühe) on the case. Because if anyone can find something on Dreyman to help lock him away, Wiesler can. Of course, giving a Minister what he wants, could lead to some personal perks for Wiesler and his boss. The question is, is it worth it?

This is the basic plot of the German film "The Lives of Others" ("Das Leben der Anderen") which took the 2007 Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film, as well as rightfully lavished with other awards. Despite what may seem to be worn-out subject matter, this is a fascinating look into life under Communism. In contrast to other films about this era, "Lives" doesn't give us hunger starved masses, oppressed factory workers or the heartbreak of the Wall. This movie gives us a gentler view of East Germany, one of intellectuals, the arts and people who have the means to dress nicely, fashionably furnish their flats and even entertain guests with, good food, music and perhaps some Black Market booze. This is the East Germany that only those who lived there seem to know about. But as relatively good a life as we see here, we still feel that there are sinister things going on, and this film shows both sides of this coin.

This movie also gives us insight into the mind-set of the era. Setting most of the movie in 1984, and its Orwellian connotations, lets us understand the type of regime these people are living under, while knowing that they have no idea how temporary this situation is. The movie opens with Wiesler's teaching a class on interrogation skills, where the main tactic is sleep deprivation. Wiesler explains how one can tell if a suspect is lying, and how the tactic works to arrive at the truth. But when asked if such a lengthy interrogation wasn't inhuman or cruel, Wiesler doesn't understand the question. And why should he? It is all for the good of the country and the furthering of the Socialist State, isn't it? But Wiesler's loyalty isn't a static given. As we watch Wiesler watching others, we learn that there is more to him than meets the eye. We are allowed wonder about his true feelings towards the actress, and if that will effect his work in ‘catching' her lover, Dreyman. The movie keeps us in suspense about this, revealing only what it has to, when it must. For instance, Dreyman's friends think of a way to check if his house is bugged by planning an escape to the West. It is hard to tell if Wiesler's reaction to hearing about this was an uncharacteristic act of sympathy, or a sly ruse to keep Wiesler's mission secret.

"Lives of Others" could be described as a thriller, but most viewers would consider it a relatively slowly paced one. Still, we never feel bored by it, mostly due to the superb acting of the main characters, combined with a script that knows just when to move the focus between the observed and the observer. Plus, as we get more involved in the action, the pace picks up in an extended crescendo to the climax, like a perfect symphony, with an epilogue that neither leaves hanging, nor ties things up too neatly. Everything is perfectly orchestrated, by writer-director Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck, which parallels the story itself. One particular stroke of genius is when Wiesler's boss explains the best incarceration tactic for public figures as being total isolation. How brilliant is it to know that the best way to "break" someone who is used to being in the limelight is by removing that light from them? And since Donnersmarck was only about 16 years old when the Berlin Wall fell, his perceptions of what he documents here are obviously well researched. Finally, Donnersmarck also sets an atmosphere with colours, lighting and particularly the mysterious soundtrack, all of which enhance every moment on the screen.

As heavy as this may sound, this is a study in human nature and power. And yet, this movie never feels oppressive, and even shows the occasional humourous side. The acting is superb, the script is varied and realistic, and the direction is faultless. In short, this a total viewing experience which I cannot find even the smallest fault in. What makes this movie all the more amazing is that it is Donnersmarck's first feature-length solo film. In sum, "The Lives of Others" is one of the finest movies I've ever seen, and I highly recommend you go see it at your earliest opportunity.

Thanks for reading!

Davida Chazan © May, 2007

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Technical Stuff:
The official site for this film can be found at http://www.livesofothersmovie.co.uk/ and according to this site, this movie opened in cinemas in the UK on April 13.

This movie isn't out on DVD yet, but the soundtrack can be purchased via Amazon for £9.98.
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Summary: Oscar winning film about East Germany before the fall of the Wall