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| Movie Review: The Good German Alternate Title: The Faux Film
Story: Director Steven
Soderbergh should be applauded for his continued efforts in
experimental film. However, not all experiments go well and this attempt
to recall, perhaps as homage, the films of the 1940's, does not make
the grade. Soderbergh stayed in sound stages, never went on location
and used camera equipment that would have been used in the 40's. Yada,
yada, yada - but what happened to the soul of the film? It got lost
in all of the style and efforts to be true to the period. The characters
are one dimensional and we end up not caring a bit for anyone. I actually
laughed at many points in the movie. I am sure that was not the intended
response. With a screenplay by Paul Attanasio,
based on the novel by Joseph Kanon, we find ourselves
in Berlin in 1945, right before the Potsdam conference. Our hero, a
reporter for The New Republic, goes to Germany to cover this world event
and, as it happens, to look up an old girlfriend. We meet spies, counterspies,
Russian bad guys, a GI Joe who is rotten to the core, corrupt Government
lawyers, bad Generals, etc, etc, etc. There are too many characters
with no development. The essence of the film should have been about
what happens to war criminals and is there any excuse for rationalizations
for their futures? What is a war crime and who gets punished? These
important questions are overlooked in all of the stylistic recall of
the period. Save your money and rent Casablanca. Acting: George Clooney's looks and persona are too
representative of our current day to play this handsome, naive, war
reporter. I did enjoy all of the fights he got into (and lost).Cate
Blanchett, was a cardboard character who was never allowed
to release her talent. Too bad. Tobey Maguire was creepy
as the rotten GI. He reminded me of that character he played in Sin
City.
Predilection: I like Stephen Soderbergh.
Critters: I can't remember.
Soundtrack: The soundtrack was true to the emotion
pulling time period.
Weather: The weather was good in the spring of 1945
in Berlin
Sappy Factor: 0
Quirky Meter: 0
Squirm Scale: WW11 makes me squirm
Drift Factor: I started to look at my watch after
only 20 minutes. A very bad sign in a short film.
Predictability Level: High
Tissue Usage: 0
Oscar Worthy: NO
Big Screen or Rental: Neither. However, for some
of Stephen Soderbergh's other work, try renting: Ocean's Twelve, Solaris,
Ocean's Eleven, Traffic, Erin Brockovich, The Limey, Out of Sight, King
of the Hill and what started it all, Sex, Lies, and Videotape.
Length: 90 long minutes
LOBO HOWLS: 5
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