Rating:
Director: Christian Petzold
Producers: Bettina Reitz, Caroline Von Senden
Writer: Christian Petzold
Director of Photography: Hans Fromm
Cast: Nina Hoss, Andre Hennicke, Sven Pippig
Visit the IMDB page for full cast and crew
| SOMETHING
TO REMIND ME (TOTER MANN) Rating: Director: Christian Petzold Producers: Bettina Reitz, Caroline Von Senden Writer: Christian Petzold Director of Photography: Hans Fromm Cast: Nina Hoss, Andre Hennicke, Sven Pippig Visit the IMDB page for full cast and crew |
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Review by: Warren
Curry
6/28/02
Two of the best movie-going experiences I've had in the past year involve German thrillers screening at local film festivals. First it was Oliver Hirschbiegel's riveting Das Experiment at last fall's AFI Festival, and now it's writer/director Christian Petzold's extraordinary new film Something To Remind Me, which graced this year's Los Angeles Film Festival. The thriller genre is normally one that doesn't excite me when placed in the hands of most American filmmakers, usually because of the tired plot conventions and implausibility most of these films not only tolerate, but often times embrace. It would be a silly and broad statement to claim that German directors just "get" this genre more than those working in Hollywood, but I'll make a (possibly unfair) comparison to illustrate my point: The best American thriller I've seen this year is, by far, Christopher Nolan's very worthwhile Insomnia (and even that was based on a Scandinavian film). Something To Remind Me isn't just better than Insomnia, it pretty much obliterates that film from my memory.
This film is so cleverly and intelligently constructed to not show its cards too early, that I feel the need to be very cautious when detailing its plot. In short, a lawyer named Thomas (Andre Hennicke) has a few chance encounters with a beautiful and mysterious woman named Leyla (Nina Hoss). They go on a date, but even when it appears they're connecting, the woman remains unpredictable and just beyond the grasp of Thomas. One night, after Leyla stands the man up, Thomas bumps into Leyla and the woman flees -- not just away from Thomas, but completely out of the city.
Leyla relocates to a rural area and takes a job as a food server in a factory cafeteria. Here she befriends an oafish employee named Blum (Sven Pippig). Leyla's interest in Blum evolves into something approaching romance, but the man initially resists becoming involved. Concurrently, a love-sick Thomas searches for Leyla, and also for his missing laptop computer, which contains confidential information about his work. As Thomas starts to put the pieces together, he comes to the startling realization of who Leyla is and makes sense of her previous behavior.
I've purposely left out a few details of the story, because this is definitely a film best experienced with little knowledge of its set-up. The first half of the movie plays like an examination of the hardships of post-modern adult relationships, but then shifts seamlessly to its more story oriented concerns. This film doesn't really have traditional plot twists or gimmicks, in fact, it's very rare that we see a movie which refuses to give us clues until it absolutely needs to. Because of this storytelling technique, some audiences will undoubtedly feel that this film moves too slowly, but when the movie is ultimately resolved, it becomes obvious that this narrative method was completely organic and a stroke of pure genius.
Whereas I feel the exciting, upbeat Das Experiment should translate very well to American audiences when it's released here this fall, I have reservations about Something To Remind Me (and who knows if it will ever find a U.S. distribution deal). This film is designed in a way that's pretty much the antithesis of what we Americans have come to expect in our thrillers. It's a movie that requires you to think right along with the characters and if you don't want to put in the work, the payoff won't be nearly as satisfying. But this film isn't cold or studied; it's just truly mysterious. Even with the methodical pacing, there's a feeling that exists slightly below the surface that keeps you engrossed. You know the film is leading somewhere special and you gladly put your trust in director Petzold to take you on the ride.
I'm not sure if Nina Hoss is a star in Germany, but she should be (and in the U.S. too). She has a stunning, down-to-earth beauty, and her shaded performance is just magnificent. You clearly understand why Thomas, played with great anguish by Hennicke, is so obsessed with her. Pippig is fantastic as Blum and you care for the man every step of the way.
I can't rave about this film enough. Petzold also has a superb directorial eye, as the film's visuals are exquisite and the scenes are constructed perfectly. Although it's difficult to fathom, this film was originally made for German television (I suppose that means their TV movie programmers have a bit more taste than the execs at the Lifetime network)! Regardless of the movie's initial outlet, Something To Remind Me is a borderline masterpiece and a film I won't soon forget.
(Screened at the 2002 Los Angeles Film
Festival)
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